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

by Caprice Hokstad

  “I wanted to be available if you needed anything, your highness,” Willow said sheepishly.

  “Very commendable. However, I could have wakened you from a comfortable bed just as easily. I have some things to do. Go sleep in my bed next to Kee. Your only responsibility is her comfort and care. Stay with her. Keep her spirits up and urge her to eat. Niles can cook and run the rest of the house for now.”

  “Yes, your highness,” she replied. He offered her a hand up from the couch. She accepted it and stood. Vahn smiled and patted her back as she hurried off.

  Vahn headed down to the dungeon. terzak moaned as the iron door creaked open. Vahn lit a single lamp, but left all the sconces dark. “How does it feel to be caged like an animal, slave? How do you think my girls felt when you chained them to your wagon or confined them underground for months?”

  terzak said nothing.

  “How’s that? I didn’t hear you.” Silence. Vahn grabbed the nearest implement he could find, a long, flat piece of wood and hit him with it, right across the whip sores. terzak shrieked and pulled at his bands hard enough to reopen the wounds at his wrists and ankles.

  “You will answer me, slave.” Vahn beat him several more times for emphasis.

  “Stop. I’ll answer. Just stop it,” terzak pleaded.

  Vahn hit him again, harder. “That’s for speaking in first person.” He struck again, making sure to find a fresh place to cause pain each time. “And that is for telling me what to do. You are my property and I’ll do as I please with your worthless carcass. If you want it stopped, you beg respectfully and cooperate, understood?”

  “Yes,” terzak whimpered.

  “Yes, what?” Vahn asked, holding the plank threateningly.

  terzak grit his teeth. “Yes, Master,” he grunted.

  “Good. The question was, ‘How does it feel to be treated like an animal?’”

  “It isn’t that bad, Master,” terzak sneered.

  Vahn hit him again. “Oh? I am being too kind, then. I need to be more like you. Let’s see—what is it you do to your slaves? Oh yes, you brand them for no reason.” Vahn crossed the room to the furnace, added some coal, and then pressed the bellows.

  “No, Vahn—Master, please. She was Itzi. They don’t feel pain like us. I take it back. I treated your girls like animals. I’m sorry. I was wrong—”

  Vahn interrupted him with another smack of the wooden plank. “You’re damned right you were wrong. Don’t you ever tell me an Itzi can’t feel pain. Kilbash, man, didn’t your mother ever teach you females are delicate creatures? If anything, she probably felt it more intensely than you’re about to. I may have to do it three or four times just to be fair to Kee.” He left terzak to place the branding iron into the now-blazing fire.

  “Please, Master, don’t brand me. I’ll do anything you want, tell you anything you want,” terzak begged.

  “Where’s my son?” Vahn asked with a malicious glare.

  “I don’t know. Saerula always contacted me. All I know is she’s in Ganluc somewhere.”

  “You’ve told me nothing I don’t already know. But don’t take it too hard. This isn’t a punishment. This is simply a way for me to Mark you as my property. If some weak Itzi survived it, I’m sure a big strong Elva like you will have no trouble.”

  He moved the iron around to check it. It was supposed to be as hot as possible to cauterize, purify, and kill nerve endings, but Vahn really didn’t care whether the Mark was clean or the slave had any trouble with the wound. The iron was definitely hot when he removed it, but the metal did not yet glow with optimal intense heat. He could get it hotter the next time, maybe. He walked back to his prisoner. terzak whimpered desperate pleas, struggled against his bands, and thrashed about.

  “Oh, hold still, slave,” Vahn said in mock exasperation. “I bet Kee wasn’t such a baby for you.”

  terzak gave a few last tugs against his bonds then tensed. Stoicism evaporated the second the hot iron touched his upper thigh. Vahn held it firmly against his flesh for a leisurely count of five. terzak screamed and jolted. The impression became blurred and enlarged with all the writhing. Better not to leave an identifiable Mark and thereby taint the house’s reputation anyway. Vahn expected at some point to impale his carcass in public, though whether to do it with him dead or alive, he hadn’t decided.

  Manner of death was going to be a tough choice. How to cause the most pain and prolong the suffering was the biggest question. Of course, he had to delay until Arx declared him guilty, since the swine had appealed to Royal Court. That was all right with Vahn. terzak’s pleas to die would simply have to wait.

  Vahn removed the branding iron and walked away from his whimpering victim. “I must say I didn’t think you could smell any worse, slave, but I can see I was wrong. I’m going to let the air clear while I eat. In the meantime, you try to think of something to tell me that might placate me enough to prevent the next one.”

  Vahn took his lamp and left. The only light left in the dungeon was the ominous glow of the furnace as it burned with the instrument of torture reheating within. The heavy door slammed shut; echoes vibrated throughout the darkness.

  It was not yet light, even above ground. Vahn went to his study and wrote another letter to his brother. terzak was in custody, but squealed for his rights. There was plenty of evidence to convict him, but he had already sent the best of it through emergency channels the day before. He urged Arx to send a royal proclamation of guilt. Vahn didn’t hide the fact he was torturing terzak, but made it clear he awaited royal permission to execute. Of course, after the whipping and the little walk through Fendrus Forest, Arx had better hurry or infection might spoil the party.

  Vahn sealed the rolled parchment with his signet and headed to the foyer to don his manteau. It was chilly in the predawn and he didn’t want to delay any longer. It was hard to contain the rage against terzak while waiting for his distant brother to give an official execution order. Yet, Vahn wasn’t ready to defy the law outright. Likely, not even Arx would take terzak’s side. Vahn would keep his tortures within the lawful slave punishments until he had Arx’s blessing.

  Vahn strode toward the gates to Rebono Keep. Extra knights stood guard, since he had never given the stand-down from alert status. They bent at the waist as Vahn arrived. “I need someone to ride to the king. Any of you up to the task?”

  All three men volunteered. Vahn’s lips curled with satisfaction. “I appreciate your enthusiasm. Who has had the most rest? I want this in the king’s hands as soon as possible.” The men came to a unanimous decision on a gangly youth. Vahn handed the sealed parchment to him. “Take the fastest horse outside of Fortitude and be on your way. I can’t deem this an emergency, so you’ll have to exchange horses on Royal Rebono Road.”

  “Yes, your highness,” the eager young man said. He gave a hasty bow before he ran off toward the stables.

  Vahn addressed the remaining guards. “Maintain alert status as long as terzak lives. I have no idea whether his henchmen might try something. I intend to find out who they are shortly.” He started to remind them to consult Captain Shil about reinforcements, but he caught a glimpse of a man’s leg dangling from a tree. On closer inspection, he noticed several other trees across the landscape hid guards in their branches or behind their trunks. Just then, the door to the bunkhouse opened; it was filled to capacity. Vahn grinned to himself. He didn’t have to micromanage Shil or Niles or chupo. He skipped the pointless reminder and headed to his hypaethral division barracks.

  terzak’s eight guards were chained by their neck bands while Vahn’s slaves were not restrained. Their Ringed bands and Numbers were enough to satisfy his sense of security. He didn’t keep slaves who showed they couldn’t appreciate his benevolence.

  Chapter 95

  chupo awoke, startled. “Master?” he whispered softly. The equerry didn’t want to wake the others unless it was necessary. Odd indeed that Master Vahn was here so early.

  “Good morning, chupo. D
on’t mind me. I’m here to talk to your ‘band brother’ terzak’s old guards. Have they given you any trouble?” he whispered back. He, too, had respect for the sleep of his slaves.

  “They whine like children and curse you a lot. They have some ridiculous notion chupo might unlock them for a price. They forget the bands around their necks and the guards. Perhaps they assume your guards are as incompetent as they.”

  Master chuckled. “I see. Do you have any feeling for their sense of loyalty? Are they ready to be tortured to protect terzak?”

  “chupo doubts it, Master. They didn’t even assert the marquis innocent of treason. Evidently, they presume him guilty.”

  “Very interesting. I hope if the situation were reversed, you would at least pay me lip service. I wouldn’t expect you to endure torture, but I hope I have at least earned more respect than that.”

  “You have earned more than that, Master. Someday, chupo hopes to swear fealty, if you’ll take him.”

  Master raised a brow and slipped his hand to chupo’s shoulder. “I would be honored to have you. Are you sure you want to be a knight? I could use an equerry and head for my hypaethral division next Jubilee. The excellent man I have now will be freed and I have no idea what in Byntar I will do without him.”

  chupo smiled. He knew he had little aptitude for the knighthood. Yet, he wouldn’t be a mere employee like these spineless guards of terzak’s. “If that position can be filled by a sworn vassal, then you may count chupo interested.”

  Master paused. “chupo, please kneel before me.”

  chupo knelt reflexively. He had knelt for his master many times, but it was not often requested. Master slipped in close, removed a key from a pouch at his belt, and inserted it into chupo’s neck band. It popped open. chupo looked up with wide-eyed surprise. Master motioned for his wrists. Still stupefied, chupo obeyed.

  “Because of my trust in you, I give you a choice. Swear your oath now and work out your last contracted year as a freeman unpaid. Otherwise, I will have Unringed bands made and you may swear your oath when I put you on the payroll next Jubilee.”

  Either way, he bestowed a great honor. chupo nervously lifted his gaze to study the duke. Duke Vahn nodded approval to look him in the eyes. This was no jest. chupo cleared his throat and answered, “I choose to swear my oath now, your highness.” A few of the men stirred from sleep.

  “Very pleasing. I prefer spontaneous oath from the heart rather than something I quote and you repeat. My only requirement is that the oath is made to me personally, not to the duchy or the kingdom. The slave contract will be nullified if I have your word to finish the year.”

  chupo nodded. “I swear to complete the year of service you have already paid for. I further swear—”

  “Wait a moment. Let me take the ankle bands off first, Lord Gintark.” The duke crouched with the key.

  The newly liberated slave shifted to facilitate. “You may call me Chupo, your highness. After five years, I don’t think I would respond if you called me Gintark.”

  “If that is your wish, I shall, but I do insist on a proper address. A sworn vassal commands greater respect than a slave. Does Lord Chupo seem reasonable to you?”

  “Very reasonable, thank you.” Chupo shifted from the standard Slave Kneel on both knees to the Vassal’s Kneel on one. He waited for the duke to finish laying the bands aside.

  “You may begin when ready, Lord Chupo.” Several of the men had risen from their sleep and watched in silence. The duke smiled and nodded him on.

  “I, Chupomit Gintark, henceforth to be known as Lord Chupo, hereby pledge fealty to Duke Vahn Rebono. I take this Oath of my own free will, with no ulterior motive. I swear to you my life and honor.” He hesitated a while, not sure what else he should say. It wasn’t that he was unwilling to promise anything more, he just had no idea what these rituals entailed or what knights would say.

  The duke waited patiently. When no more words were forthcoming, he offered his hand. Chupo kissed the signet ring to seal his promise. Duke Vahn smiled and spoke proudly, raising his voice enough to waken any sleepers. “Lord Chupo, I am honored to count you among my sworn vassals. In return for your loyalty to me, I swear to regard your life and honor as precious. I promise never to abuse your trust or take lightly that which you offer on my behalf. Though not a knight, your position as my equerry and Rebono Keep’s hypaethral division supervisor is no less important. Rise, my friend.”

  Chupo stood to the cheers of the rest of the slaves. Even terzak’s guards kept respectfully quiet. It was difficult to say who was happier, Duke Vahn or Chupo. The duke took a few moments to enjoy the impromptu celebration, watching the slaves congratulate their supervisor with handshakes and back-pats. The new vassal broke up the happy gathering. “Time to go to work, men!”

  “Yes sir,” came the multiple replies.

  Chupo dipped his head to Duke Vahn. “Unless you need anything further, your highness, I would be getting back to work?”

  “Nothing at all, Lord Chupo. Carry on.” He held his hand out until Chupo grasped his wrist in a knight’s handshake. Chupo beamed and dipped his head one last time before he directed his attention to work.

  Chapter 96

  Vahn removed the set of bands lying on the barracks floor and strolled over to the prisoners locked in a row against the wall. “Good morning, citizens. Who would like to be first to tell me the names and descriptions of every person to cross the gates of Mors Manor?” The prisoners exchanged glances as if to appraise the collective reaction. One man spat, catching Vahn’s breeches in the offense. “How good of you to volunteer,” Vahn said coolly to the spitter. The spitter grumbled a protest.

  “Might I remind you all your immunity in the treason charge is wholly based on your cooperation? I can just as easily line you up in the dungeon to be whipped and branded along with terzak. If you want to be pig-headed, you are quite free to die with the pig.”

  A man near the end of the line spoke up. His tone was respectful. “I will be next, your highness.”

  “Very pleasing. Keep up that attitude and you’ll be sleeping in your own bed come nightfall.” The man opened his mouth, but changed his mind on whatever he planned to say. He nodded and lowered his eyes.

  Vahn unlocked the spitter from the wall, but left the neck band on. He unsheathed his short sword and set the tip against the man’s back, forcing him to the keep and then down to the dungeon.

  terzak bellowed some empty threats as they entered. Vahn slapped terzak’s back with the plank, then offered the spitter the board and the same opportunity. “You have nothing to fear from him. He’s legally my property. If I don’t execute him, he’ll probably die of infection.”

  The man studied terzak but declined to hit him. Vahn took the guard up to his study and urged him to a chair. He laid his sword on the cherrywood desk in a conspicuous spot. A reminder about the abundance of room in the dungeon loosened the guard’s lips, though he gave only the most obvious names, claiming loss of memory on anything very valuable.

  Vahn returned him to the others and locked him again. “Lord Spittle here had a lapse of memory. I’m giving him some time to remember before I use ‘persuasive mnemonic tools’. I hope none of you take my patience for granted. If you think I’m playing games, you will quickly learn just how serious I can be. Now, who was next?”

  The man who had asked to be next looked up. “I was, if you please, your highness.”

  Vahn unlocked him and took the same route to his study via the dungeon. This man was different. He was ashamed he ever had anything to do with the marquis. He cooperated, even offered information Vahn didn’t think to ask. After filling two parchments with information and names, Vahn removed the neck band. “Thank you. You’re free to go. I’ll see you out to the gate. My guards wouldn’t let you out otherwise.”

  “Your guards are good men, your highness. I wish I had chosen my employer better.”

  Vahn arched a brow. “Employer? Were you not sworn to terza
k?” Vahn knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from the guard.

  The man shook his head. “Do you think I would have given you that much information if I had? The marquis only cared about his secret society. Everyone else was dirt. He told us whom to allow in the gates and when people were allowed to leave. He didn’t even trust the stable boy, though the lad had served faithfully for years. He gave us drafty barracks, meager rations, and paltry salaries. I assumed this was how every nobleman operated. I can see I was wrong. If you execute him publicly, I’ll be there to watch.”

  “Indeed. Do not berate yourself too badly. I made a grave error in judging the marquis as well. Three innocent girls paid with their lives, and another lies on her deathbed because of it.” Vahn made a mental note to check on Kee at the next opportunity.

  “Would you consider hiring a poor judge of character, your highness?”

  Vahn allowed the barest semblance of a smile. “I suppose everyone is entitled to a second chance. If you would be willing to start at the bottom and earn some trust, see Captain Shil.”

  “Thank you, your highness.”

  The two walked out to the gate. Shil was present, checking on the status of his sacred charge and discussing his problems opening the iron box from Mors Manor. Vahn introduced terzak’s ex-guard and hinted to Shil he had been helpful and needed employment when this was all over. He told the gate sentries the man was free to leave. Vahn left the ex-guard with Shil and hurried back inside the keep.

  Niles had breakfast ready. Vahn helped him make a tray for Willow and Kee. Strange, but he felt the girls should eat first now. He told Niles he’d be back, but not to worry if anything grew cold. He took the tray of food up to his chambers.

  Chapter 97

  Kee was awake when Master Vahn entered. She managed a pained smile as she pressed a finger to her lips and canted her head toward Willow so he would see she was still asleep.