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

by Caprice Hokstad

“I leave you trusting that you shall behave as befits your house, and remain until I return for you. May the Heavenlies deal with you severely if you violate my trust.”

  “May kee’s very life be forfeit if she violates your trust or honor, Master Vahn.”

  “Rise please, kee,” Vahn finished, lowering his hand to assist. kee kissed his boot once more before taking his hand and rising to her feet. Vahn paid a last glance to the very nervous-looking Blackthorn. He turned to kee. “Thank you. I am very pleased you remembered.”

  “You are most welcome, Master Vahn. Safe journeys and health to you and Mistress Saerula.”

  Vahn barely hid the cringe he felt. It was commendable for her to have remembered one who might give birth at any time. However, the subject hit a sore spot kee could not possibly have conceived. Vahn took her hand, pressed it briefly to his lips, and then exited, closing the door behind him.

  Chapter 42

  Galen Blackthorn quilled a few notes to parchment and looked at his trainee. kee stared at the door, then turned to face him, assuming Standard Kneel. She held her back straight and her chin up, but her eyes focused on the chair her master had vacated.

  “Wait right there, kee. Don’t move.” He purposely made the instructions casual. He wanted to give the impression he would be right back.

  “Yes, Master Blackthorn,” kee replied.

  Blackthorn slipped out the door. The first test was listening and exhibiting obedience when left alone. Tests were quite varied in practice, though all were designed to measure aptitudes for the same qualities. Blackthorn observed her through tiny holes concealed in the wall. kee did not move.

  Time passed slowly. Blackthorn got up to stretch several times. At the third turn of the hourglass, he headed to the records library. He asked the clerk whether she knew the record for this particular test. Four hours. The clerk pulled the files of the Itzi who set the record. The slave had knelt for four hours, but not motionless. The trainer’s notes reported the time when she looked around the room, stretched her arms, and shifted her knees. Time was called only when she stood. Blackthorn took the record clerk down to see kee.

  “Are you sure she’s not dead?” she asked.

  “No, look, she’s breathing. But she hasn’t moved a muscle the whole time! It’s going on four hours now. What do we do if she never moves?”

  “I don’t know. That’s never happened. But she can’t contend for the record if she’s been a slave before.”

  “No. I have it on very good authority that she never wore bands before today,” Blackthorn swore. The clerk laughed. “No, really,” he insisted.

  The clerk smirked as she headed back to her station. “Good one, m’lord,” she chuckled.

  His reputation as the Institute’s unofficial jester sometimes backfired on him. Of course, the distinction was well earned. What good was it to be Headmaster if he couldn’t have some fun?

  After six hours, Blackthorn had someone relieve him while he ate. By this time, word had spread and several trainers had come by to see his record girl. He was already regretting the bet. As far as he was concerned, kee had earned full points for the first test. If it weren’t for the sake of the record, he would have released her and gone on with the training. He pitied her waiting so patiently and probably growing thirsty and hungry.

  At the eight-hour mark, when Faithful Obeisance was lit solely by moons’ light streaming through a barred window, kee fell asleep on her knees. Blackthorn hated to use involuntary movement against her, but without it, the test might take weeks. He entered the chamber abruptly. “I told you not to move, kee.”

  kee startled, chagrin apparent on young features. “Yes, Master Blackthorn, kee is sorry,” she said sadly and bowed her head.

  Blackthorn watched, scribing notes on her record parchment: Contrite. Made no excuse. Keeps eyes averted well. He realized there was a good chance she’d never disobey willfully and one test required a reaction to punishment. He would have to use this “disobedience” against her. “Sorry is not good enough, kee,” he scolded. kee nodded, still not offering any excuse. “You will go to bed without food.”

  “Yes, Master Blackthorn.”

  Several moments passed in silence. “Do you think your punishment is fair?”

  “kee thinks she deserves far worse.”

  Though her voice sounded sincere, he couldn’t help but think she only said what she thought he wanted to hear. “Why do you think you deserve worse?”

  “kee dishonored her house and Master Vahn. There is nothing more shameful. According to the oath kee made, kee’s life is forfeit.”

  “That may be so, but neither I nor your master would invoke such a harsh penalty.”

  She nodded silently. He ached to tell her she had broken the Ny record. He suspected she had broken the record for the whole Twelve Kingdoms. Yet, he had already declared her disobedient; praise would be inappropriate. “Come, kee, let me show you to your bed.”

  He watched her carefully since her legs would have to be numb. She made no complaint and hid any difficulty she had walking. kee followed him down a long stone hallway. Doorways lined each side, yet not one had a door. The dim rooms held female slaves, many crying and moaning, as usual. It was a familiar background noise to Blackthorn, but he felt a twinge of regret he had to expose kee to such an unwarranted spectacle. Probably only one in a hundred had real reason to be crying. He turned into a small room that held four metal beds. Three were already occupied. He stood aside and motioned kee to the empty bed. kee obeyed in silence.

  Blackthorn crouched at the foot of the bed and reached for a length of chain attached to the bedpost. “Your ankle, kee,” he ordered with a harshness he didn’t feel. He couldn’t sound too considerate in front of the other slaves, besides, Duke Vahn had asked she be treated the same. kee offered her leg. Blackthorn locked the chain to her ankle band and stood. “I will see you tomorrow.”

  kee slipped off the bed, dropped to her knees on the stone floor, bent over, and kissed his boot.

  “What was that for?”

  “It was to say thank you and good night, Master Blackthorn.”

  “Thank you? For what?”

  “For training kee, Master.”

  Blackthorn wasn’t sure who was teaching whom. “You’re welcome, kee. Good night.” He left her, shaking his head. The duke was right. He’d wait another day or two before admitting it, but he knew he’d lost the bet. Strangely, he didn’t mind training her for free. This one, he would enjoy. Blackthorn met the night guard, ordered him to take kee a plate of food, and then went home.

  Chapter 43

  kee threw herself to the bed and buried her face in the pillow. By the smell and texture, she guessed it was filled with sawdust. The halls echoed with girls wailing and whimpering, but kee couldn’t cry. She wondered whether the others were crying as berru had, or if they had failed like she did. Her stomached ached. She was tired and furious at her body for betraying her again.

  The first day and already she had dishonored her house. What was she thinking? She couldn’t really belong. Now Master Vahn might disown her and she’d never be able to show her face in Ny. “Stay there and don’t move” had sounded easy enough. Stupid Itzi farmgirl. Just because her arms weren’t bound uncomfortably, she’d thought she had it beat.

  At first, it had almost been enjoyable. She couldn’t remember the last time she allowed her mind to wander and daydream for so long. So much had happened for her to reflect on: the bath, the banding ceremony, her new family of band sisters, her master and mistress, glorious Rebono Keep, and the books she had read at the guest cottage.

  As time passed, she even allowed herself to delve into thoughts of her mother and blood sisters. Somehow, she had managed to keep from tears. She wouldn’t have allowed her silver dress to be spotted and since she couldn’t move to wipe her cheek, she had simply forbidden herself that response. Now that she could cry without tarnishing the house uniform, the tears wouldn’t come.

  A
young Elva in purple and gold appeared at the doorway. “kee of House Rebono?”

  “kee is here.” She sat up. Her legs felt like thousands of pins pressed them. She prayed she wouldn’t have to attempt walking again.

  “This is for you.” He offered her a plate of food.

  kee blinked and shook her head. “There must be a mistake, milord. kee did not earn the right to eat tonight.” She almost added that she didn’t think she should ever eat again, but she didn’t want to compound her mistakes by sounding maudlin.

  “It’s all right. Lord Blackthorn sent this.”

  She nodded and accepted the plate. “Thank you.” He disappeared down the hallway. kee set the plate on the floor, trying hard not to inhale of the tempting aroma. Mistake or not, she wouldn’t fail another test. Her stomach growled a protest. She ignored it.

  She felt she should introduce herself to her roommates and learn their names and houses, but she couldn’t. They’d either think she was insane as timna had, or they’d be able to see the failure written all over her face. She’d be sociable another time, assuming Master Blackthorn didn’t throw her out.

  Didn’t Master Blackthorn order her to bed? Yes, she was allowed to sleep. So tired, so very tired. She fell to sleep quickly and slept well despite the wails echoing off stone walls.

  At suns’ rise, kee arose and made her bed. She smoothed as many wrinkles as she could from her uniform. Why hadn’t she thought to remove it before she slept? No bedclothes had been provided, but nudity under the covers would have been preferable to the predicament she now faced—a wrinkled uniform. She knelt at the bedside and waited, watching her roommates in their sleep.

  Chapter 44

  Blackthorn walked down the hall with a spring in his step. A student like kee was a rare treat. Still, he was surprised to find her awake and kneeling by an already-made bed. Where did the duke find this gem, and were there more where she came from? As he crouched to unlock her ankle chain, he spied the untouched plate of food. “kee, didn’t the guard tell you I sent the food?”

  “Yes, Master Blackthorn, but he never said that you condoned eating it. You told kee she was to go to bed without food.”

  Blackthorn laughed. She was obedient to a fault. The other three girls stirred and groaned in their beds. Blackthorn handed kee a brown muslin tunic. “You will wear this while you are here. Your house uniform will be cleaned and ready for you when you leave. You have ten minutes to wash;” he motioned to a basin in the corner of the room; “and dress. Meet me back at Faithful Obeisance Chamber. Leave your house uniform on your bed. I will have breakfast waiting for you.”

  “kee is not sure she remembers the way to Faithful Obeisance Chamber, Master Blackthorn. It was dark last night and kee was not paying attention.” Embarrassment played heavily on her face.

  Most slaves were leashed for the first three to seven days, giving them plenty of time to acclimate to their quarters and the various training areas. However, kee was not “most slaves”. Putting her on a leash would be a step backwards. It would do her roommates good to see what proper attitudes would earn them.

  “Very good, kee. It is always best to ask if you do not understand an order. Questions are never to be a substitute for listening, but I would rather you asked than become lost or late. The room is out the door to the right, down the hall past the sleeping quarters, then the third door on the left. I will see you in ten minutes.”

  “Thank you, Master Blackthorn.” kee beamed again like she had before he put her through eight hours of kneeling, then punished her for falling asleep. Blackthorn swore to himself he would not punish her again for anything involuntary. Bet or no bet, he would not crush her spirit. He hurried off to the kitchens.

  Chapter 45

  kee washed and dressed quickly. In the daylight, she could see that the other slaves wore the same brown tunic as she had been given. While she folded her house uniform, a different trainer arrived at the doorway and called for darla. No one budged from bed or answered. The trainer stared at kee, especially her unchained ankle band. “What is your name, girl?”

  kee knelt facing the man. “This slave is kee, milord. May she serve you?”

  “Who is your trainer?”

  “Master Blackthorn. He is expecting kee in the Faithful Obeisance Chamber. If there is nothing you need from kee, may she be excused?”

  darla’s trainer scrutinized kee a moment before he dismissed her with a wave. “Fetch me the basin, then you are excused.”

  kee nodded, lifted the basin, and carried it to the trainer. She was thankful she had been excused. From down the hall, she heard a loud splash and darla’s startled cry. Other trainers in the hall led slaves by chains attached to their neck bands. One obstinate girl refused to move. Her trainer literally dragged her along. kee shivered and rushed away. Alone, she caught the attention of several ITC officials. Suspicious eyes followed her to the proper door.

  She knelt Submissive and knocked. “May kee be allowed to enter the honor of your presence, Master Blackthorn?”

  Chapter 46

  Blackthorn looked around the room to be sure he was ready. Normally routine sessions were becoming exciting and fresh. He had to hide his eagerness. “Yes, kee, enter,” he called.

  kee opened the door. Blackthorn remained at his desk with his back to her, writing. Two plates of hot food sat on a table near the door. Blackthorn could smell it from across the room. He also knew kee had had nothing to eat in almost a day. “May kee serve you breakfast, Master Blackthorn?”

  Offers to serve without waiting to be told, Blackthorn scribed to the parchment. “Yes, kee. I am quite hungry. Bring it here, if you would.” He shuffled parchments and cleared a spot to eat.

  “Yes, Master Blackthorn.” She busied herself with silverware and napkins. Blackthorn watched and instructed her on placement of the silverware to royal standards. kee brought both plates, set them before him, then knelt at his feet.

  He eyed her curiously. “Why did you bring both plates to me?”

  She furrowed tiny brows. “Because you said kee could serve you, Master Blackthorn.”

  Most first-time slaves would not realize to serve the master first and wait to be excused to eat themselves. The two plates were a trap intended to teach patience and protocol. A few bright trainees had served him first, waiting for their turn. This was the first time a slave had given him both plates and left nothing for herself. “Are you hungry, kee?”

  “Yes, Master Blackthorn.”

  “Did you wonder if one of these plates was meant for you?”

  “kee wondered, but you said you were ‘quite hungry’. And even if you wished kee to have one of these plates, would it not be wrong for kee to select which one? kee will eat what she is given whenever Master is done and gives kee permission to eat.”

  She was passing tests he didn’t even intend. “Very good, kee. Are you sure you’ve never been a slave before?” he asked rhetorically as he stuffed some sausage in his mouth.

  “kee had never even met a slave a fortnight ago.”

  Blackthorn nodded absently as he speared a small bit of food and held it in front of her.

  She opened her mouth, accepted the bite, and then whispered, “Thank you, Master Blackthorn.”

  “kee, do you know why I gave you that bite of food?”

  “Because kee told you she was hungry? Or as a gratuity?”

  “No. Slaves in houses of important people such as Duke Vahn test the food for poison. It protects the master from unscrupulous vendors and conniving servants. Since you are risking your life to perform this important service, it would be improper to thank your master for it. You should not expect thanks, but neither would you give it. Understood?”

  “Yes, Master Blackthorn.”

  He gave her a few more bites as he ate, just for practice. With her in mind, he finished his own meal quickly. Then he handed the other plate to kee. “This is for you. Go ahead and eat now. I am going to leave for a few minutes.” He coul
d almost sense panic behind her eyes, but she hid it well from her face. “I promise, it will not be like yesterday. You’re free to move. You may sit at the desk if you like.”

  “Thank you, Master Blackthorn.” She said “thank you” so much and so sincerely that he found it difficult not to say “you’re welcome”, but he had disciplined himself not to. Many owners didn’t bother with niceties. It would be insensitive to train slaves to expect courtesies they probably wouldn’t get later. He left her alone and watched from the peepholes in the wall.

  kee used rudimentary manners in devouring the food. She didn’t sit in the chair. He made no notation on her parchment. It hadn’t been an order, merely an offer. When the plate was empty, she gathered all the dirty dishes and piled them neatly on the table by the door. Humming, she swept the crumbs from the desk and chair. Then she used the napkin to dust tables, a vase, and some candlesticks. Every time he thought there wasn’t anything else she could do, she’d surprise him and find something else. He quilled to her record parchment, Very resourceful.

  Even children that started as slaves at the youngest legal age rarely became so natural at service. If she had been unowned, he’d buy her himself. He was thankful he didn’t have to set a price on her. Scoring would be hard enough. Scores were given every slave that went through ITC for comparative value. Blackthorn had trained timna who scored higher than any Elva female in Ny in a decade. Naturally more docile, the Itzi averaged higher, though timna had outscored many Itzi as well. Blackthorn believed kee would be the highest scoring slave ever. She had yet to lose any points.

  The rest of the tests involved finding her fears and limitations, checking her attitudes toward work, and her interaction with others. The duke had mentioned he wanted her to be optimess. Slaves that scored well in submission often scored poorly in leadership.