The Duke's Handmaid (Book 1 of the Ascendancy Trilogy)

by Caprice Hokstad

  Jallor’s eyes widened. “What is the proper address, Duchess?”

  “It’s ‘your highness’ or simply ‘marquis’. In Latoph, only the king is addressed as ‘majesty.’”

  “Please forgive me, your highness,” Jallor said to Terzak.

  Vahn held his irritation in check. For the distant cousin, Saerula corrected him, but did she say anything when it was her own husband? Moreover, why Jallor’s remorse over something one marquis heard, but no apology over the huge gaffe when he announced his employers to the entire tavern? Terzak barely nodded in response to the servant, his attention drawn fully to Vahn.

  “What would you like to drink, cousin?” Vahn asked.

  “Hmm. How about felton berry wine?”

  Vahn looked over at Jallor. Any of his slaves would have asked to serve if he didn’t immediately assign it. The look was ineffectual. He berated himself for not insisting to bring timna. He hated to ask this fool for anything. He shot a probing look at Saerula. This was her servant. She could teach him manners. Saerula returned the gaze just as pointedly, but void of understanding.

  Vahn couldn’t bring himself to ask Jallor. He rose from his seat, strode to the tavern keeper, ordered Terzak’s wine, brought it back, and set it in front of the marquis. If Terzak wanted it tasted, then he could find his own wretched taster. Vahn wasn’t playing servant as well as bar wench. He retook his seat amidst amused stares. Saerula fixed a gaze of pure consternation on him, but he ignored her, turning to Terzak instead. “So, cousin, what sort of business are you venturing into, and might I be interested in joining?”

  Terzak took a deep drink from the goblet then licked his lips while considering. “I want to open a tavern—a tavern like none has ever seen before—a place of entertainment rivaling the king’s court, a place the rich can put their wealth to good use and the poor can forget their problems a while. Are you interested?”

  Vahn’s lips curled into the barest semblance of a smile. “Very interested, cousin. It sounds like just the sort of innovation I like to promote. Have you chosen a location?”

  “Not yet. It would need to be somewhere in the heart of Ny, but not too close to the Dryad, though I believe we could compete even if we were next door. I am here to inquire about buying some property.”

  Vahn arched a brow. “Mmmmn. Indeed. I should like to hear the details at length when you have no other appointments. But yes, you can count me interested.”

  Terzak smiled then drained his goblet in a single swig. “I’ll keep you in mind. Oh, and thank you for the wine. I had no idea I was going to be waited on by royalty, or I’d have dressed better.” He winked, savoring his jab immensely.

  Vahn’s joviality disappeared like smoke. He frowned and muttered, “If I’d have known, I’d have brought a slave.”

  Terzak caught the warning and refrained from any further comment. “Of course, your highness. And now, if you’ll forgive me?”

  “Yes, thank you for your time. Please do remember I want more details on your project,” he said as he arose for a parting knight’s handshake.

  Vahn retook his seat once Terzak left. He scrutinized the tavern, catching every expression, burning to memory every identity. When Terzak joined a table with a white-haired Elva, Vahn studied the stranger’s face and clothes meticulously. Slender fingers steepled, Vahn adopted a stoic austerity as he pondered.

  At some point, admittedly overdue, he perceived Saerula staring at him with an irritated mien. “Sorry, love, I was just thinking. Did you need something?” He sorely hoped that she wasn’t going to ask him to fetch anything with her precious Laban still hovering idly behind them.

  Saerula sighed. “Yes, Vahn, I need to go home. I’m tired. Do you have any idea how late it is?”

  Vahn blinked. Surely, he couldn’t have been pondering more than a few minutes. A glance to the hourglass in the center of the room proved him wrong. It was past the ninth hour. The Dryad was nearly empty besides Terzak’s party and his own. “Forgive me, Saerula. Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

  The duchess shook her head in silence. She extended her hand to Jallor for help from her seat. Did she purposely summon his attention just to be certain he saw her taking this usurper’s hand? Holding jealousy in check, Vahn consoled himself that at least the indolent toy was doing something. How ironic—he had served a lower ranking cousin and the servant now took the duchess’ hand.

  Chapter 36

  Kee and timna spent their evening reading and partaking of the sort of talks females have when they are close. Kee relished the time and hung on timna’s every word. Time passed quickly, so they skipped bathing in favor of sleep. Since timna wouldn’t join her in the bed or trundle, they both slept on a thick bearskin rug.

  Early in the morning, Kee sat up, panting hard. Her heart beat wildly; beads of sweat dotted her brow. She studied a shiny object in her hand for several moments, then glanced beside her. timna’s blanket was gone and the fur was empty. Kee slipped the object into the pocket of her folded tunic, then headed to the watercloset. She blundered in on timna sitting in the washing reservoir, completely naked and soaking wet. Kee’s jaw dropped and she stared, speechless. She wasn’t sure if she was more embarrassed for timna, catching her in such a ridiculous situation, or more embarrassed herself for gazing on her nakedness. “K-K-Kee is sorry, timna, but what in Byntar...?”

  “Did you want the bath? timna is nearly done. You may want to heat some more water though.” She gestured toward the large kettle on the floor.

  Kee shook her head, still stunned. “Kee was not going to wash her clothes, thank you. Today shall be the last time they are worn.” She smiled at that thought as she stepped to the watercloset.

  “Wash your clothes?” timna laughed. “This is a bathtub, Kee. It is meant for bathing people, not clothes.”

  Kee scrunched her face. timna was playing a joke and she wasn’t going to fall for such nonsense. “Suuure, timna,” she purred sardonically, rolling her eyes for effect.

  “You mean that all the time you’ve been here you’ve never used the bath?”

  Slightly offended at the insinuation that she hadn’t kept clean, Kee frowned. “No, Kee washed her clothes more often since she’s been here than she ever did at home, and she used the sponge every night.”

  timna looked down. Her voice was small and sad when she spoke again. “Kee, timna is sorry. timna should have been here the first night—to show you and assist you—even moreso since you were a guest. The bath is one of Master’s special privileges for his house. He insists we bathe every day.”

  Kee felt the heat in her face rise. It was no joke. Would she ever overcome that rural Itzi ignorance that always left her feeling so inadequate? She looked down at her feet quietly. Her exciting news was overshadowed by embarrassment.

  timna exited the tub hurriedly. Dressing in a rush, she looked back at Kee. “timna will come later tonight and give you a bath, all right?”

  “Kee will not be here tonight.”

  “You won’t? Where are you going?”

  “Kee is asking Master Vahn for his bands today. It will be up to him where Kee sleeps tonight.”

  timna nodded as she finished tying the laces on her house uniform. She peered at Kee with a decidedly neutral expression. “You will probably be at the ITC then.”

  Kee assumed timna’s brevity to be a reflection of their talk in her henhouse. Thanks to her ineptitude, timna had paid dearly for sharing her feelings before. Kee appreciated that timna didn’t show false elation.

  “timna is sorry she has no time now, but welcome to the family.” timna darted out the door and ran toward Rebono Keep.

  Kee sighed. “Thank you,” she called after her, realizing it was likely unheard. She dressed, making sure the object in her tunic pocket was secure after she pulled it over her chemise. Then she spent two hours cleaning the guest cottage to spotlessness.

  Chapter 37

  Vahn awoke when Saerula got out of bed. That fool Jall
or was escorting her to the bathing room when timna knelt just inside the door and spoke in a soft voice. “Good morning, Mistress Saerula. May timna enter to serve you?”

  “Didn’t Vahn tell you? I have Laban now. He will take care of all my needs. You are excused.”

  “Yes, Mist—”

  “You will stay right there,” Vahn ordered as he sat up. “Saerula, unless you’re going to start bathing yourself, you’d better think twice.”

  “Laban was hired as my servant. I want him to attend me.”

  “That’s fine when you’re talking about fetching your slippers, but bathing is another matter entirely.”

  “Oh really? timna helps you with your bath. What’s the difference?”

  “How can you ask that? She draws the water, sets out towels and soaps, then leaves me alone. I have never disrobed in her presence. She doesn’t even help me dress unless I have breeches on.”

  “So you’re saying you don’t trust me to be just as pure as you?”

  “Is he going to leave before you disrobe? Are you going wash yourself and put your own undergarments on? I thought you couldn’t stand doing those things for yourself.”

  “Vahn, he’s a servant. He’s probably done this a thousand times before. You’ve had your females fawning all over you for years. You keep telling me it’s nothing. So now I throw your own words back: it’s nothing. You promised I could choose my own staff. Are you going back on your word?”

  Vahn scowled and clenched his teeth. Although far from convinced, and less than pleased with the situation, he relented for the sake of peace. “Fine. Have it your way, Saerula.” After all, she was heavily with child. What could he possibly try with her in such a state? The bungler won’t last the week anyhow.

  Jallor and Saerula retreated to the master bath. Vahn ordered timna to stay. No matter what he allowed that incompetent fool to do for his wife, he swore never to let him so much as shine his boots. timna would help him with shaving and dressing in the morning. In the evening, she would draw his bath and attend to his clothes for the next day. She seemed happy with the change of duties.

  After breakfast, Vahn was pacing the floor of his study when he heard a knock on the door. He opened it to find lopi bowing her head. “Lady Keedrina wishes to see you, Master Vahn. She says she is ready for banding at your convenience.”

  Vahn smiled. This was just the news he needed to balance the scales against the Jallor ordeal. “Please show her in, lopi.”

  “Yes, Master,” she replied and hurried out. lopi brought Kee to the study, whispering a request for announcement instructions.

  “Just ‘Keedrina’ is fine. It won’t even be that for long.”

  “Lady Keedrina to see you, Master Vahn,” lopi announced.

  “Thank you, lopi. Please run and fetch timna and ask her to report here.”

  lopi nodded. “Yes, Master.” She sounded a little irritated, but he was too excited about Kee to worry over lopi’s moodiness now. lopi disappeared down the hall.

  Kee slipped to her knees at the door and bowed her head.

  “Please, come in and close the door, Kee. lopi says you’re ready to be banded?” Vahn leaned back in his chair.

  “Yes, Master Vahn. Kee was released from the vow.” She entered, closed the door, and then looked up. He pointed at the floor in front of him. She moved to the spot and assumed a Standard Kneel.

  “I am very pleased, Kee, but just out of curiosity—you don’t have to answer me—would you mind explaining to me how you were released from your vow? Wasn’t it with your departed mother?”

  “Yes, it was. Kee was released in a dream. And there is supernatural evidence to support Kee’s dream.”

  Vahn arched a brow. “A dream? Would you tell me about it?”

  “Kee had been praying for release day and night. Mother came to Kee in the dream and asked what she wanted. Kee told her about joining your house. Mother stared at Kee and said, ‘Serving a royal house is a great honor. What is stopping you?’ Kee reminded Mother of the vow. Mother said ‘Vows made in haste are foolish to keep. I don’t hold you to it.’ Kee thanked her and asked how to find the Nymphs to gain their release. Mother said, ‘The key is within you’ and vanished.

  “At first, Kee was confused. Then Mother’s words became visible, as if written on a wall. The ‘y’ in ‘key’ turned into an ‘e’. Kee still did not understand and cried out to the Nymphs. Then Kee woke up. Kee thought she failed again until she found this in her hand.” She reached into her pocket, removed a highly polished silver key, and offered it to him.

  “May I?”

  “What belongs to Kee is yours, Master Vahn.” She offered her pouch of coins and her deed to him as well. He set them aside and curled his fingers around the three-inch-long key. He brought it close and inspected it carefully. The handle was encrusted with multi-colored gemstones and sparkled brightly.

  “Kee, are you sure this wasn’t lost in the bed?”

  “Kee slept on the floor with timna last night. Do you not think it sufficient proof of release?”

  “Undoubtedly. I cannot imagine a guest forgetting this and not sending back for it. It must have come from your Nymphs. This is very valuable.” He continued to stare at it.

  She smiled. “Kee is happy you are pleased, Master.”

  Her words snapped Vahn out of his wonderment. “I will keep this for you, and the coin and deed, but I want you to know that it will always be yours if you leave my house, all right?” It only made sense for him to safeguard such a valuable sacramental. Her money was inconsequential, but he could invest it for her and return it with interest if she changed her mind.

  Kee nodded. “Would you hold something else for Kee? It is nothing valuable, but it was Mother’s.” She removed the scrimshaw pendant from her pocket and held it out to him.

  Vahn recognized it—the pendant that had condemned the Dronak Death Gang. “You could wear this if you like,” he said without accepting it.

  “No, Master Vahn, it is a compacting gift. It would be improper to wear it without being compacted.”

  Vahn nodded and accepted the pendant. “I will hold it for you then.”

  “Thank you, Master,” she whispered. Once her hands were emptied, she assumed the Classic Offering Position.

  Vahn savored the moment. Loyalty and submission like hers were nearly tangible. It was the same when a knight knelt before him to pledge vassalage. He could taste it, feel it in his marrow; he craved it and fed upon it. Summoning a tone soft as honey, yet rich and commanding, he spoke to her. “Lady Keedrina of the rural lands surrounding Ny, do you know what you offer by your actions?”

  “Keedrina, daughter of Silla and Blod, is fully aware, Master Vahn Rebono, duke of Latoph. This Itzi submits herself fully and completely to you and your house—to become your property and your slave.”

  He beamed. She even had a flair for these formal exchanges he was so fond of. “I, Prince Vahn Rebono, duke of Latoph, accept your offering. You will please be bathed and dressed in the uniform of my house. I will bestow your bands in Great Throne Hall in one hour.”

  “As you wish.”

  There was a knock at the door. “Kee, will you please get that? It should be timna.”

  A very soft “Yes, Master” escaped her lips before she stood and crossed the room to open the door.

  “timna has come as you requested, Master Vahn.”

  “Ah, yes, thank you, timna. I want you to help Kee bathe and dress in the house uniform. Make sure she is up to my standard. I will bestow her bands in one hour in Great Throne Hall. You and any of the others that wish to attend are welcome, but it is not mandatory.” Banding was sometimes a painful memory for a slave and he respected their feelings.

  “Yes, Master Vahn,” timna replied.

  “One more matter,” he said as he opened his desk drawer. “Kee, please hold your hair back a moment. I need to measure your neck.”

  Kee gathered her hair and held it aside, then tilted her head to m
ake her neck accessible. Vahn pulled out a short tape and slipped it around her neck. She shivered at his touch. He leaned down and read the tape. Kee held up her wrist before he had a chance to request it. He noticed the scars from the twine incident had faded. When he removed the tape from her wrist, she lowered her arm and shifted her weight to one knee, then swung the other leg around in front of her to set her ankle at his fingertips. He measured her ankle, then Kee retook her Standard Kneel. Vahn wrote three numbers on a scrap of parchment. “You are both dismissed.”

  “Yes, Master,” they chorused.

  In a few seconds, Vahn was alone. He fingered the parchment with Kee’s measurements, too gratified to sit still. He decided gloating alone wasn’t enough. He simply had to rub Saerula’s nose in this—her and that milquetoast incompetent, Laban. At least the thought of his name didn’t bring desire to vomit like it had fifteen minutes earlier. Now it was merely a joke—a pun so bad it made one groan.

  He locked the mysterious key, the deed, and scrimshaw pendant in a chest hidden in the base of a stone table. He started to place the pouch of coins in his desk drawer, but changed his mind and took it with him.

  His eyes glinted with mirth as he bounded up the stairs. Halfway up, he realized gloating would do his marriage no good. Saerula liked Kee. Maybe when she heard Kee was joining the house, she’d dismiss the bungling butler. He composed his giddiness and strode into the sitting room. “Saerula, you will never guess who just asked for my bands.”

  The duchess took her time looking up. Eyelids drooped as she sipped her water. “Baroness Bettina.”

  Vahn was slightly annoyed Saerula didn’t show more enthusiasm, but nothing would dampen his spirits. He smirked and shook his head. “No—better. This is someone you like.”

  Saerula yawned, turning a bit in her chaise. Her facial expression denoted tedious toleration. “Why should it matter one wit to me what slaves you buy?”

  He deftly ignored her. Better to declare his triumph than to argue. “Lady Keedrina. I’m banding her in less than an hour.”