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

by Caprice Hokstad

  One of Vahn’s archers was a scribe. He sifted through the parchments and came across eight slave contracts. He gave them to Vahn. The duke studied the parchments, shaking his head sadly. marha, byli, and xassa were dead and it was his fault. Kee would be next. He placed five of the parchments in his saddlebag then made a quick notation on Willow’s and Fawnessa’s.

  He exchanged Willow’s contract for the whip she brought. Though she could not read, Willow realized what it was and spontaneously hugged him.

  “I should have done that fifteen months ago. I’m sorry. Believe me, this whipping is only the beginning of the paying that terzak is going to do.”

  “I don’t want revenge, your highness. I deserved most of what he did to me. I wasn’t the same for him as I was for you. None of us were, except kee. She worked even harder to cover for us.”

  Vahn nodded. He couldn’t allow himself to think on Kee now, except to fuel his fury. “You don’t have to want revenge. I want enough for all of us.”

  terzak squirmed at the end of his rope. They had tied him so his feet didn’t touch the ground and his wrists bled from the weight rubbing against iron manacles. Vahn approached him. Everyone took several steps back, leaving plenty of room. Vahn’s eyes burned with wrath. He set his jaw and flailed terzak with all his strength—harder than he had whipped lopi, even harder than the Dronak Death Gang.

  With every stroke, he cried out the name of one of his girls and an offense terzak had committed against her. Willow coached him with wrongs unknown. He was particularly horrified a girl as young as xassa had been seduced and bedded. He didn’t keep count of the number of lashes nor could the strokes be determined visually, since the gashes bled so that his back became one mass of mangled flesh. As long as he or Willow could think of more crimes, he would continue. So much blood flowed into terzak’s silk shorts that few spots of the original color remained.

  terzak writhed; he jolted at each strike, then whimpered and groaned against his gag in the short intervals between blows. Blood from his wrists flowed down his arms and into his face, clotting in his hair. Finally, he hung limp. Vahn didn’t care terzak was unconscious. It was easier to hit him when he wasn’t wriggling around. Vahn only stopped when he realized he might die too quickly. A quick death was too good for him. He had to survive for further torture. Vahn dropped the whip and sat to rest. He ordered the rope released. terzak collapsed to the ground with a dull thud.

  Vahn mopped his brow with the back of his sleeve, looking through all the spectator faces. He couldn’t decide what all the wide-eyed stares meant. Admittedly, he had lost control and let his rage take over. He called terzak’s stable boy. The young man came quickly and knelt on one knee. “How do you feel about what I have just done to your liege?” Vahn asked.

  “He was not my liege, your highness, merely my employer. I am but a peasant. I made no vows to him. I think what you have done is just and fair,” he whispered.

  “I know you have served the marquis a long time. I find no guile in you. I give you all of terzak’s animals save the horses. Go on home. Tell your neighbors that the duke of Latoph does not tolerate men who cheat peasants or abuse slaves. Tell them what I did to my own cousin in defense of the powerless. I will leave Mors Manor unlocked and unguarded. Tell them they may take whatever they wish once we’re gone.”

  “Yes, your highness. Thank you,” he said with a grin. He bowed his head deeply before slipping away.

  Vahn urged his men to raid Mors Manor for spoils and food while he rested. He wanted terzak conscious for the next stage of his plan. He turned to Willow.

  “Surely there’s something inside that would cover you better than that uniform. Go; find something you feel comfortable in. While you’re in there, I’d appreciate it if you’d check on Lady Fawnessa, please. She was very shaken.”

  “Of course, your highness.”

  Thirty minutes later, Lady Willow emerged from the manor in a moss-colored velvet dress. At her side was Lady Fawnessa in a peach brocade. She’d dried her tears and washed her face. Her eyes were still red, but she looked much better.

  They approached Vahn, handed him a set of keys, and offered their wrists. He smiled and unlocked their bands, kissing the greened skin he found beneath. Neck and ankle bands came next. Vahn used his own keys for the Ringed bands. Now they both looked like freewomen. He gave Fawnessa her freedom papers.

  Captain Shil had no luck with the iron box. Vahn ordered it stowed on the wagon to work on later. Shil had terzak’s guards bound and loaded on the wagon. Two of Vahn’s men hitched horses to the wagon and became driver and prisoner guard. Vahn helped Lady Willow and Lady Fawnessa aboard and made it clear they were guests and not prisoners. terzak’s guards were to be chained in the hypaethral division’s barracks until he had time to question them. Vahn nodded to the driver and sent the wagon on its way to Ny.

  When his men were done with their plundering, Vahn dismissed everyone but Shil and Alnen. terzak’s horses were added to the stock Vahn kept for his Castle Guards. The campaign ended with his knights shouting victory chants and reveling in their rewards. They galloped off after the wagon.

  Impatient with terzak’s recovery, Vahn filled a bucket with water from a horse trough and doused the noble-born slave with it. terzak stirred wearily. He lifted still-bound hands to his mouth and removed the gag. Vahn allowed it, reasoning that terzak would breathe better and gain his feet all the sooner. “I will get you for this, Vahn. How dare you?” he spat.

  “How dare you,” Vahn sneered, kicking terzak in the stomach. “Slaves will speak in third person and address their master with respect and title. Failure will result in punishment. I’m not playing games, slave. Learn your place or pay for it.”

  terzak coughed and doubled over. Bound hands cradled his defiled gut. He made no rebuttal.

  “Mount up, my friends. We have a little trip to take,” Vahn said. Shil and Alnen mounted their horses. Vahn took the rope tied to terzak’s wrist bands and mounted Fortitude. “Oh, I didn’t get a horse for you, slave. Kee ran through Fendrus Forest in her bare feet. In her honor, you will do the same.”

  Shil and Alnen bit their lips and grinned. Vahn rode in front, followed by the slave on foot. His two men took up a leisurely pace at the rear, keeping an eye on terzak. Slowly, they traversed dense forest. All three of the freemen were liberal with jokes about terzak’s physique and prowess. Vahn also took pleasure in reminding terzak how his wounded feet would soak up dirt and kill him slowly by infection, if he were lucky.

  terzak tried to curse Vahn, but Vahn gave Captain Shil a nod to crop him. terzak refrained from repeating the mistake to save his mangled back. The woodland route was actually more direct than the road to Ny, but terzak was slow, not to mention whiney and puerile. He finally threw all pride aside and begged Vahn on his knees, calling him master and speaking in third person. Vahn praised him condescendingly for learning, but didn’t stop the forced march.

  The marquis’ closest neighbors, farmers living just beyond the forest, came out to watch the spectacle as Vahn rode by with his prize. At first, there were hushed gasps of shock and disgust at the less-than-benevolent treatment. Once they recognized the scantily clothed slave, laughter and ridicule followed. Vahn did not prevent them from throwing rotted food at his slave.

  On and on he urged terzak, yanking on his wrists regularly or having Shil take the crop to his back. Vahn led terzak into Ny through the South Gate instead of the East. That way, he could parade him through the city on the way to Rebono Keep. As expected, his men had already spread the saga of terzak’s demise. No one offered pity or listened to pleas for understanding. More spoiled fruit collided with the humiliated captive.

  Shil dismissed Alnen at Rebono Keep’s gate, ordering him to have his cuts attended by a healer. Captain Shil accompanied Vahn into the dungeon to be sure terzak was secured. They positioned terzak standing upright, face to the wall, then locked him by the iron bands. They left him alone in the cold and dark. Shil
slammed and locked the dungeon door.

  Vahn thanked Shil and excused himself to clean up. As Vahn passed Great Throne Hall, Pharn Patkus took him aside for a report on Kee’s condition. Her feet were already oozing pus. She had less time than he originally hoped. Vahn shook his head sadly and gathered the courage to face her.

  Inside the master chambers, he found Kee surrounded by Timmilina, Willow, and Ghiannelle. He smiled and tried to skirt the perimeter without interrupting. He was slightly annoyed no one had opened the drapes. Suns’ light was known to have healing effects. He moved to the window to do it himself.

  “No, your highness. It hurts Kee’s eyes,” Timmilina warned softly.

  Vahn halted. “Hurts her eyes? Why?” he whispered.

  “Because Kee has not seen the suns for six—no, seven—months, Master Vahn,” Kee answered.

  Vahn approached the bed, took her hand, and lifted it to his lips for a kiss. “What do you mean?”

  “kee and xassa were hidden underground for the last seven months. There was no light from outside, only candles and lamps, and we were afraid to use them too much.” Her voice was slightly stronger than when he last saw her, yet still weak.

  “Summer cottage indeed,” he muttered. “Why did he have you in a dungeon?”

  “No, it was a secret lair somewhere far away. Kee wants to tell you why, Master Vahn, but she swore an oath not to tell.”

  “You swore an oath to a traitor. terzak is my slave until he dies a traitor’s death. You don’t have to protect him, Kee.”

  Kee held her right hand up, hiding the Owner’s Mark on her forearm while pointing to a scar on her wrist. This was deeper, fresher, and more distinct than the wounds the twine had left or the abrasions she’d endured at the ITC. Someone had cut her wrist. “Kee not only swore to him, but by her own blood. This hand is forfeit if Kee tells,” she said solemnly.

  Vahn frowned while he considered a moment. “Kee, if your right hand belongs to me, then you have already forfeited it. No one takes your hand without my permission, and I want it right where it is. Still, you don’t have to tell me if you feel it’s wrong. Nothing you could possibly say would raise my opinion of terzak. There’s no excuse for how he’s treated you.” He brushed her forehead gently.

  Kee smiled. “Master Terzak got xassa pregnant. She died in childbirth. He didn’t want anyone else to know.” The three ex-slaves seated around the bed all gasped. Kee frowned at the memory. “xassa didn’t even know it was after Queen’s Jubilee. Master Terzak gave us no way to know night or day or month or season. He lied about everything.”

  Vahn fumed. xassa was so young, so innocent. Terzak not only violated her, but impregnated her, then imprisoned her underground. It wasn’t hard to deduce why the starving occurred. It was just like Kee to sacrifice for another, even one whose chances were so slim.

  “Kee wonders what he really did with his son.”

  “The baby lived?”

  “Yes. He was small, but kee nursed him. Master Terzak said he was taking him to live with his aunt and uncle in some remote village. It wasn’t far from the lair, but Kee doesn’t know where the lair is.”

  “I’d be willing to bet that two-faced whelp has no family living in any remote villages, but I’ll look into it. Did Lord Patkus examine your eyes?”

  “Yes. He said Kee should expose them to light gradually. If Kee lives, at least her eyes will work as before.” There was a note of shame in her voice.

  “Kee, you are perfect just as you are. Just concentrate on getting better.” He kissed the back of her hand.

  “Thank you, Master Vahn. And welcome home. Kee is relieved you are safe.”

  Vahn drank in her voice like water in the desert. It had been over a year since he’d had such a warm welcome. “Thank you, Kee.” He looked at the other three. “And thank you all for coming. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’m headed for the bath. Carry on with your visit.”

  “May I ready the bath for you, your highness?” Willow asked shyly.

  Vahn regarded her. “If it pleases you, Lady Willow. It’s been a long time since anyone helped me with a bath.” It was hard to refrain from another sad flashback to the old days, but he restrained himself for the sake of the former slaves gathered in his chamber.

  Willow hurried into the master bathing room. She started the water and gathered towels, soap, and sponge. She stepped out as the water ran and eyed Vahn nervously, biting her lip. “Your highness? Would you like to have someone to help you with it again...? I mean, would you consider hiring another servant? I wouldn’t ask for much...” she trailed off, looking down.

  “You would come work for me again?”

  Willow gave a quick nod without looking up.

  “You’re hired. You can stay at the guest cottage if you like, or one of the guest rooms up here. You name it,” he said, beaming.

  “I don’t care where I stay. Although I must admit, I miss the baths,” she confessed. Timmilina and Ghiannelle both nodded in agreement.

  Vahn chuckled. “You are all welcome to come use the baths here any time you like. It’s the least I can do after all I put you through.”

  The freewomen exchanged glances, then nodded to Timmilina. “Duke Vahn,” Timmilina said, “you were a good master. None of us blame you for what happened. If there is any culpability, may I respectfully suggest it be given to the duchess?”

  “Touché, Lady Hocar,” Vahn said. “However, I should have kept her in check, and I didn’t. The final responsibility is mine.”

  “Love blinds even royalty, your highness. You hold yourself to higher standards than everyone else.”

  “I am the duke. If my standards aren’t higher, I’m not fit to claim the title. I do appreciate you ladies hold no grudge against me. You are all welcome at Rebono Keep at any time.”

  The former slaves nodded. Kee had fallen asleep with a contented smile on blue-tinged lips. Willow pattered back to the bath and announced it was ready. Vahn entered the bathing room, pressed a quick kiss to Willow’s forehead, and dismissed her with a wave. She blushed and hurried out.

  Timmilina and Ghiannelle kissed Kee’s unmarred cheek and took their leave. Willow readied the duke’s clothes, then sat beside the bed where Kee slept. She took Kee’s hand in her own and looked into the scarred face. A tear traversed Willow’s cheek.

  Quite a while later, Vahn exited the bath in a plush black robe. He blinked in surprise. “Thank you for laying out my clothes, Lady Willow.”

  “You’re welcome. Is there anything else I could do?”

  Vahn shook his head. “Not tonight. I’ll speak to Niles later. He is in charge for now, but if you have any problems, feel free to come to me. Take the night off. Have a nice warm bath. I’ll see if I can’t find you something to work in so you can save that dress.”

  “Did you discard the old uniforms, Ma—your highness?”

  “No, they should still all be hanging as they were the day you left. I was afraid you would associate them with slavery.”

  “I associate them with the house of Prince Vahn Rebono, duke of Latoph. So does all of Ny. Your uniforms are comely and respectable. I would count it an honor to wear one again,” Willow declared.

  Vahn was touched. Of course, no one would mistake her as a slave without bands. He had only meant to spare her feelings. “Then I guess that solves our problem. Thank you.”

  “The thanks go to Kee. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her, nor would I have realized how lucky I was to have been part of your house. I treated Kee very badly in the marquis’ house. I only hope I have a chance to make it up to her,” she whispered as she turned to give Kee a forlorn glance.

  “So do I, milady.” His gaze was drawn to the frail body occupying his bed. “So do I.”

  Willow let go of Kee’s hand and dipped her head to Vahn. “I’ll go take that bath you mentioned. Good night, your highness,” she whispered.

  “Good night, Lady Willow. Rest well,” he said absently, never taking his ey
es off Kee. Willow slipped quietly out the door. Vahn knelt at the bedside, took Kee’s hand in his, and whispered to the sleeping girl. He recapped his time at Mors Manor, sharing everything he had learned and recounting every humiliation he forced on terzak. Kee frowned slightly when he reported marha’s death and smiled as she heard of terzak in his bands.

  He exhausted all his tales and bowed his head. “Please, let her live,” he mouthed soundlessly. Vahn slipped onto the bed beside her. He slept atop the satin comforter, fully clothed. The suns sank below the horizon, hidden behind heavy velvet drapes.

  Both Kee and Vahn slept soundly, at least for a while. Vahn was awakened by Kee’s pitiful whimpers. She mumbled in her agitated sleep, obviously pleading with Terzak in a dream. Vahn listened a while, to see if he could learn anything he didn’t already know. He quickly repented of it when Kee began to cry. “Kee, love, wake up. It’s just a bad dream. You’re away from him now,” Vahn whispered.

  Her eyelids didn’t flutter, nor did she even seem awake when she answered, “Yes, Master Vahn.” She was completely calmed by his voice and drifted back to a more restful sleep.

  Chapter 94

  Vahn awoke well before dawn—not surprising, since he’d retired so early. He brushed Kee’s cheek with the barest of kisses and left her to sleep. He slipped his boots on in silence, then searched the guest rooms for Willow. He didn’t find her anywhere upstairs and puzzled over it. She had mentioned the bath as one thing she enjoyed. Surely after that admission, she would have foregone the guest cottage, which had no hot water.

  Vahn found her dressed in the house uniform, asleep on a couch in Great Throne Hall. She sat nearly upright with her head resting on the arm of the couch. He leaned over and whispered to her. “Lady Willow?” She awoke with a start, squinting and looking about, disoriented. “I’m sorry to have startled you, milady, and I know it’s early. Why didn’t you sleep in one of the guest rooms?” he whispered.