Encircled

by Robin Roseau

  “Or Captain Bess.”

  “You are well informed.”

  “I am,” she agreed. “Understood?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. The next thing. You are the target of much attention you weren’t receiving two weeks ago. You’ve made a reputation, all in a single event.”

  “I’m not sure what that means.”

  “It means you’re going to receive pressure for more events. Has it already begun?”

  “No, and you’ve seen I can be a little flirty.”

  “Is that what you’re calling it?” she asked with a smile. “They may be biding their time. Everyone knows Olivia is showing interest in you, and that might keep them at bay. It may not. I just wanted you to be aware.”

  “It’s misplaced attention. I was lucky.”

  “You were lucky, but most women would not have capitalized on that luck with the success you held.”

  I inclined my head.

  “Last thing. When I tell someone to get out of my office-” and then she held up a finger to restrain my apologies. “When they stay, like you seem to do, it’s because they have a real issue to discuss.”

  “You are abrupt so they don’t waste your time with trivia.”

  “Yes. Now. Get out of my office.”

  “Thank you, Your Honor.”

  * * * *

  Hessey was waiting outside. I thought she’d gone home, but she was pacing. “What did she say?”

  “Nearly the entire conversation was on completely unrelated issues. She said she needs to discuss it with someone else to ensure a good decision. We’ll hear in a few days.”

  “No hints?”

  “Only that it’s not an unreasonable request, but I got the impression they don’t grant these that often. We’ll see.”

  “If she turns us down, I’m going to need to find something fairly quickly.”

  “Give me two weeks warning, Hessey, if you can.”

  “Don’t just disappear like someone we know?”

  “If you don’t show up at Lady Olivia’s residence, she is less likely to snare you in her web,” I said. “A lesson I have learned. I’m young. I make mistakes.”

  She snorted. “It’s good you recognize that.”

  * * * *

  We received a summons to Government House two days later. Hessey and I sat down in front of the judge. The first thing she asked was, “Did you want to withdraw your petition?”

  “Are you suggesting I should?”

  “No, only asking if you’ve changed your mind.”

  “No, Your Honor.”

  “I am granting your petition subject to certain stipulations.”

  Hessey broke out in a grin. “Thank you, Your Honor!”

  “You’re welcome. This is not that unusual a request. Actually, it’s common, but it is also common for the reasons to be asinine, and I do love denying those.”

  “I imagine you do,” I said.

  “Quite so. Ms. Redberry, I am stopping the calendar, you might say, for up to two years.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Within the other stipulations, for the next two years, you will be treated as if you are 18. After that, it advances with your birthday. I understand your next birthday is in six weeks.”

  “Yes.”

  “Then in two years and six weeks, you will be treated as if you are 19, and so on.”

  “I understand.”

  “My judgement is somewhat more detailed,” she said. “I don’t care to cover every point. If you need help reading it, I can recommend a variety of lawyers. That is the basic agreement. However, this judgment is specific to accepting your First Time with Claary, Kathareet, or Lisbon Rosebush. If six months from now you instead accept your First Time with someone else, you will be treated as if you are 19. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Your Honor.”

  “Furthermore, the calendar begins to commence not in two years, but when one of those three women becomes a citizen and is eligible to accept your First Time. If that happens the day before your birthday, it is very likely you will owe her four months, as your birthday will arrive. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Your Honor.”

  “If none of them becomes a citizen within those two years, or if the three become permanently enslaved, or if you wish to pursue a different choice, you may present yourself to me. I will arrange your First Time, and I will do so within the agreement of this judgement. If you come to me in a year, I will place you somewhere as if you are 18.”

  “I understand.”

  “That probably means I will take you into my own house, but I would decide at that time. Your opinion will not be solicited. You may, of course, offer yourself elsewhere, but it would be as if this agreement didn’t exist. You will owe more than two months.”

  “I understand.”

  “Do you still wish to finalize this petition?”

  “Yes, Your Honor. Thank you.”

  She turned to me. “One of the people in the room seems quite polite.”

  “I believe at least two people in the room have been quite polite, Your Honor.”

  “One of those people accused me of having a weak heart.”

  “That person was responding to trash talk,” I said with a smile.

  “Perhaps.” She set papers out. “There are two copies. Sign here. You may read it first if you like.”

  Hessey didn’t bother reading it. She signed both copies. Then the judge set them in front of me. “And you will sign as a representative of your family. I require you to read it first.”

  I didn’t read thoroughly, not at first. It more specifically said what she’d already said, although in great detail.

  I read past Hessey’s signature, and that was when it grew interesting. If Hessey asked for a First Time with me, and I declined, I was, shall we say, in big trouble. Not enslavement trouble, but I would be explaining myself to the judge. I finished it and said, “Does this also obligate Lisbon or Mother?”

  “No, only the woman who brought this to me.”

  “Thank you for looking out for Hessey,” I said. I signed both copies. The judge signed both copies then gave one set to Hessey.

  “Congratulations, Ms. Redberry. I must speak to Ms. Rosebush now. You may not wish to wait.”

  “Thank you, Your Honor.”

  We waited for the door to close before I turned back to the judge. “Practice Challenge Accepted,” she said. I began smiling. “Whenever you like,” she added. “The period will be two weeks. I will devise the challenge. You will lose and join my household. But we’re going to have a little extra fun. I will hold you for one day, then release you. You will be given an hour to recover, and you may make any reasonable request to help you that you care to make. We will then have another challenge. Repeat daily for two weeks. You will lose each time.”

  “I thought you told me to avoid losing over and over to women like you.”

  “Yes, I did. Are you going to accept?”

  “Will you tell me why?”

  “This is actually rather common. I won’t let you accept any practice challenges for a period afterwards.”

  “How long a period?”

  “I guess we’ll see. Answer my question?”

  “Yes, I’m going to accept, if you tell me why.”

  She laughed “You and your questions. You’re going to see what someone like me can do to you. I’m going to drive the lesson home.”

  “You’re afraid I’m turning cocky.”

  “You are cocky. I love doing this, I absolutely love it, and when it’s someone as lovely as you, I love it twice over.”

  “All right.”

  “Furthermore, I control the color the resin turns, and you’re going to experience all the colors.”

  “I didn’t know you were a farmer.”

  “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

  “Green, the color of field hands.”

  “Or gardeners, for instance.”


  “Oh. I understand. What is black?”

  “Government slave. That’s the color you’ll see the most.”

  “No red?”

  She laughed. “Or maybe that is, depending on my mood. You won’t win. You know that.”

  “I gave Olivia a run for her money.”

  “Oh, please. Women like Olivia never lose. They do not accept challenges that play to their weaknesses.”

  “You structured our event.”

  “Within limits,” she said. “Women like me never lose, either, for the same reason.”

  “Well, what happens when someone like you and Olivia face each other.”

  “Neither of us would accept that. Neither of us is willing to risk losing to the other, not even in a fun event.”

  “I guess I understand.”

  “You may accept this offer any time, with reasonable warning. If you change your mind, I won’t be offended. I think you’re being a little foolish, but I’m willing to teach the kid a lesson or two.”

  I smiled and held out my hand. “I’ll be back when things settle down, but Lisbon and Mom need to have their First Times first, and be recovered. I won’t accept challenges until then.”

  “Good.” She took my hand and pumped it once. “I do like handshake agreements. They’re friendly. Now get out of my office.”

  I hesitated, just long enough for her to raise an eyebrow, then I thanked her and got up. “You’re a brat. You know that. I will be punishing you for that.”

  “You better write it down so you don’t forget.”

  I reached the door and had my hand on the knob when the judge said, “Freeze.” I did. “Turn around.” I turned to face her. “What did you say? Did you just suggest I am doddering?”

  I stared at her then dropped my gaze. “I thought we were bantering. I’m sorry, Your Honor. I wouldn’t even be here if I thought you were anything less than what you are.”

  “I could lock you up for that comment. I could order you to accept a challenge. I could pacify you for a week. I could pillory you.”

  I looked up. “Are you really insulted?”

  “Of course not, but you’re developing a habit, and if you ever say something like that in front of other people, I can’t laugh at it, Claary. I can’t.”

  “You just used my name.”

  “Interesting, that,” she said.

  “Jessla, do you think I am unaware we’re the only ones here? Have I said anything like that to you in front of anyone else?”

  “Am I clear?”

  “What would you do to me, if I screw up?”

  “I’d have to respond.”

  “I know. I’m asking what you would really do.”

  “The one about my heart would be a slap on the wrist, but I cannot tolerate anything that suggests I am incompetent. I would be harsh, Claary.”

  “Enslavement harsh?”

  “I have that authority, but I wouldn’t want to use it. Probably the pillory. If you apologized immediately, profusely, and quite loudly, it might only be two hours instead of two days.”

  “Oh shit.”

  “Yes. Oh shit. Am I clear?”

  “Absolutely, Your Honor.”

  “Good. Do you have any more smart-ass remarks?”

  “Not today.”

  “Go.”

  * * * *

  I made it back to the inn. Mother was watching for me. “It’s about time. I don’t know what to do about them.”

  “About my slaves? They should be home, playing or napping. I’m going to go get them.”

  “Not your slaves. The job applicants.”

  “Job applicants?”

  “There are eight of them.”

  “What?”

  “One said she can cook.” Mother grabbed my arm and pulled me inside.

  I took one look. They were all Ressaline soldiers. They smiled as Mother pulled me to them. “You all came together?” I asked.

  “Yes,” said one of them.

  They were all experienced and qualified. They knew what we could pay. One of them said, “Frankly, I’m here for the free food.”

  “You pay for beer yourself, and the free food is only if you help prepare or serve the meal in question.”

  “I understand,” she said. “The food here is far better than our mess, even the days Tarce is head cook.”

  “I thought she said she was a good cook.”

  “I have to feed too many,” Tarce said. “Quality suffers. Letting us eat here solves a variety of problems. But we’ll take the money. I can’t cook three meals seven days a week.”

  “You would be an assistant cook for some of your meals and head cook when the current head is gone, and only if she approves you after a trial.”

  “Not a problem, unless she’s the sort that’s impossible to please, but I’m not interested in doing breakfast and dinner all the time. But I can do dinner one night and breakfast the next morning.”

  “This isn’t permanent,” I said.

  “We don’t want permanent,” said another woman, Rennie. “We’re fine with ‘for a while’.”

  “Do I have to worry about you all getting called away on short notice?”

  “That could happen,” she said. “But it’s not very likely. It would require something similar to what brought us to Charth in the first place.”

  I pulled Mother to the side. “Can we afford them? Remember that I have to let my slaves go, and I won’t have more for us, not for a while.”

  “A while. Didn’t she just use that term?”

  “Yes, and I think it’s intentional. Also remember that Lisbon is going to go have her First Time soon. We’ll be without her for a month. And Mother, you’re going to have to do it, too. I need to learn your job. Any of these women can handle the front room, and maybe better than I do. I’m going to have to learn the rest of yours while you’re gone for two months, Mother.”

  “I don’t like thinking about that,” she said. “Yes, we can afford it.”

  “Then please hire them.”

  She nodded. We stepped back, and I asked, “How soon can you start?”

  “Today? Tomorrow?”

  Bess, or perhaps Olivia, had solved our staffing problem.

  Release

  I asked my slaves how they wanted to spend their last day with me. They asked if we could work at the inn until dinner was over then come home and play. I was surprised they didn’t ask to play all day, but Gigi wanted to pamper Mother once more, and Lassa mentioned Lisbon. “May I give her pleasure, Claary?”

  I wished she wouldn’t have asked. “Yes, but not sex.” She pouted, but I remained firm and made promises once we came home.

  Once we got home, I collected them together. I told them how wonderful they were. Then I asked, “Do you want me to do nice things for you, or do you want to do them to me?”

  We had fun, and eventually, hours later, we slept, all in a pile on the bed.

  * * * *

  We played again in the morning. Bess arrived, letting herself in. I took one look at her and said, “Girls. Get her!”

  She screeched, and turned to run, but then they were on her, dragging her, laughing, to the bed.

  We played for another hour, and then I encouraged them to nap.

  “Now what?” I asked Bess.

  “Now we dress,” she said. “We’ll release them one at a time and get them settled.”

  “I don’t know how.”

  “I’ll teach you. Let’s have clothes ready for them.” She led me to the closet in the bedroom across the hall, which was stocked. I was impressed with her. “I haven’t been in here.”

  “I figured,” she said. “Who is talking the most?”

  “Gigi.”

  “Then she’s first.”

  I nodded.

  It was hard not to cry. We woke her and led her to the other room. Bess helped me through the process. Gigi began crying partway through, and I felt terrible, but I finished, and then the two of us held her as she
continued to cry. “Does it have to end?”

  “I’m sorry,” I told her.

  “This isn’t our last time,” she said. “Please, Claary. I don’t want this to be our only time.”

  I lifted her chin and kissed her very gently. “I think right now you probably want to just give yourself to me.” She nodded. “I think it would be fun if you won, too.”

  She smiled. It was weak.

  She let us dress her. We saw to her for a while, and then I went to collect Lassa.

  * * * *

  Bess and I both stayed with them for two days. They were all just as needy as I had been, but they comforted each other as well. That helped.

  It was on the third day that they said, “Claary, we want to talk to you.” I let them lead me to the parlor, and we all took seats. Then they looked around until everyone was looking at Gigi. She nodded, and I realized they had just elected her their spokeswoman.

  “Claary,” she said. “You’ve been amazing to us.”

  “I’ve tried to be.”

  “We loved when you let us do whatever we wanted. My First Time, she told me what she wanted. That was nice, but this was nicer.”

  “As you probably saw, I enjoyed it a lot, too. It wouldn’t work as well if there was just one of you, though, because you wouldn’t get the attention you crave.”

  “You did everything perfectly,” she said. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” I said.

  “She didn’t do everything perfectly,” Lassa said. She grinned. “She didn’t let us play with Lisbon.”

  I laughed. “Too weird. Just too weird.”

  “I’ve tried to decide how I’d feel if I were in your shoes,” she said. “I can’t.”

  “Maybe with time.”

  “Maybe,” she said. “Bess is fun, but mostly because you let us do whatever we wanted.” She grinned. “She’s ticklish.”

  “She certainly is,” I said. “But she’s kind and cute, too.”

  “Yeah, I suppose.”

  We talked for a few minutes, then Gigi said, “Sarala and Lassa have requests. Lassa go first.”

  Lassa nodded. “I want a job.”

  “How is it you’re such a good baker?”

  “Why didn’t you ask me? I could talk you know.”

  “I couldn’t,” Sarala said. “And I want a job, too.”

  “Lassa first.”

  “I’m a baker,” she said. “But it’s my father’s bakery. I love baking, but I hate owning the bakery. I hate doing the paperwork. I hate dealing with the other employees. I just want to bake. And we only do things in the morning. I want to start doing dinner desserts. I don’t want to be the head cook, because I don’t want to touch all those other meals. I just want to bake. Please.”