Encircled

by Robin Roseau

  “You’re going to enslave everyone over 35.”

  “Probably nearly everyone who was over 25 when we arrived,” she said. “There may be some exceptions. So far, there haven’t been. Everyone who has become a citizen is near your age, within a few years. You are blameless in events. Most of us recognize that.”

  “The major doesn’t.”

  “She does, but she is bitter.”

  “I don't blame her. And I’m not sure, if I were in your shoes, with your abilities, that I would make different choices than you have.” I laughed. “I probably would have been harsher.”

  “From what I know of you, I find that unlikely,” she replied.

  “Oh?”

  “Bernadette reports you to be as kind an owner as anyone, and more so than most.”

  “I made her work the inn.”

  “So? She would rather have done that than sit alone while you were out. Which you know. You haven’t really answered me. Don’t you lead by example?”

  “I did tell you. It’s complicated.”

  “Do you want us to pack our bags and leave?”

  “Not if you’re going to take my mother and sister with you.”

  “All right. Let us say they remain behind, in any capacity they prefer. I believe that means Giselt remains as well.”

  “Are you inviting me to go with you?”

  She laughed. “Well, I wasn’t expecting that question. Yes, a kind invitation to you and the lovely Gigi, but only if you become citizens before we depart. Or would you both go at it together, and there would be one new citizen?”

  We walked for a minute. She didn’t pressure me. Finally I said, “Frankly, I don’t know if I want the men back. At the inn, I much prefer your soldiers. I enjoy the company of those of you I’ve gotten to know, excepting the major.”

  “No one likes her, but she’s very efficient.”

  “The sex fests are fun.”

  She laughed. “I agree with you.”

  “I would miss Jessla and Olivia if they left. I would grieve that.”

  “More than you grieved those we chased out?”

  “That wasn’t much of an issue for me personally, although it was for others. You should have let people leave who wanted to leave. Yes. That’s the one policy I don’t like.”

  “The only one?”

  “Well, I don’t know if I’ll ever completely get over being bitter about my mother and sister, even though I know they’re happy. I see Li-li but rarely see Mother, but it’s not at all the same, and Lassa especially loves ordering Li-li to flirt with me. That makes me exceedingly uncomfortable, and I wish she would stop.”

  “You don’t seem to have a problem with Bee and Dee. Lovely slaves.”

  “Very lovely. They aren’t my sisters.”

  She laughed lightly. “You haven’t consolidated your position then.”

  “No, not entirely. I think I’m being selfish about Mother and Lisbon. I didn’t realize Mother was unhappy. I can be clueless, I suppose.”

  “It isn’t your responsibility to see to your mother’s happiness,” Queen Lisdee said. “And you were just getting to an age to think further outside yourself.”

  “Lisbon saw it.”

  “You saw other things. So. You would have let those leave who wished to leave. There would have been a mass exodus. That I wouldn't allow, and I wasn’t going to release those who were complicit in countless deaths of my fellow countrywomen. Do you blame me?”

  “No, not particularly. We didn’t know.”

  “You knew. Maybe not you specifically, but you as a people. You just didn’t care.”

  “I suppose that’s fair. And that’s what a lot of it comes down to.”

  She nodded. We finished a circle of the green and came to a stop, turned towards each other. “You know what I intend to ask next.”

  “I can think of a few things you might hit upon,” I clarified. “I wouldn’t want to guess the order.”

  “Will your inn collapse if you are not present to hold up the walls?”

  “Ah. That question. I made arrangements, but if you expect me to be unable to see to it for an extended period, I might need to make better arrangements. I’ve written payroll checks to cover a month. They will not be accurate, as people are paid by the hours they work, and it varies. They know we’ll address any problems when I return.” I paused. “If I return.”

  Then I paused. “Your Majesty, before you ask the next question, I wish to state two favors. You are under no obligation to grant them.”

  “You may ask.”

  “You mentioned Gigi. She hopes to meet you.”

  Queen Lisdee inclined her head. “And the other?”

  “If you’re about to ask what I believe you’re about to ask, I would prefer if people such as the good Major Kelress are in little position to make the experience less enjoyable for me.”

  “So if I told you I wanted to give you to her, you might have a problem with that?” My jaw dropped and I stared at her until she began laughing.

  “That was mean,” I told her.

  “It was funny is what it was,” she said. “I expect to remain in Charth for two weeks or thereabouts. I then intend to tour the southern region of the duchy before returning home. It may be as long as a month from now, or a little longer, before I will pass through this region again, or it may be we will take another route home, and Lady Olivia will return this way without me. I took very little of my household with me, only a personal maid. Will you allow me to claim you for my visit, and if so, how long may I keep you?”

  “May I ask questions?”

  “I hate that question. The answer is always yes, at least when the setting is conducive. If I don’t want you asking, I will tell you.”

  I nodded. “You phrased this as a request. Is it really a request?”

  “Yes, actually. I can’t say I won’t be disappointed if you decline, but it wouldn’t change your future outlook, shall we say.”

  “Do you want me for the entire period?”

  “If that would not destroy your business.”

  “I didn’t make arrangements to be gone so long. There is no one with the authority to see to things in my absence. If you claim me this afternoon with no opportunity to remedy this, I don’t know what decisions will be made, but I imagine the inn would suffer.”

  “Could you make arrangements? Who would you ask to see to things?”

  “Is Judge Jessla attending the tour?”

  “I haven’t invited her. She may invite herself.”

  “I would ask her to make arrangements and suggest Gigi might suffice in my absence, or someone else if Gigi will be unavailable.”

  “Do you intend to grant my request?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty. Could we find Jessla?”

  “That won’t be necessary. What will you tell her?”

  “What I told you plus the bank I use and where I keep bank drafts and records for making payroll. The remaining staff can probably answer most questions, but someone needs to have authority to make decisions beyond day-to-day.”

  “Then tell me, and I will tell Jessla.”

  “There are three banks in Charth. We use the Whitepine Bank branch that is down the street from the inn. I have a personal account there, but the Baby Blanket Inn has accounts with greater sums. Someone will need to make deposits and make payments. The cook knows who should get paid. I would prefer whoever makes the payments review the history to ensure the numbers are consistent. There are two copies of the books. One is kept at the bank, I brought it up to date yesterday. The other is kept in a safe in my office. It is in the closet behind the coats. My employees do not know it is there, and I would rather it remain that way. It uses a combination lock based on letters. I change the password periodically, but it is currently the first, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth letters of the word ‘arithmetic.’ Bank drafts and additional payroll paperwork is also there. The head cook is holding payroll envelopes for four weeks, but if someon
e is going to see to this, she could retrieve them from the cook and issue ones that are correct based on hours worked. All bills to be paid are due 30 days from receipt, and I have paid all bills currently outstanding. Absolutely nothing, except payroll, is due any sooner than 30 days, and I prepaid our most regular suppliers for the expected amounts during that period.”

  “With what reason given?”

  “They knew you arrived, and all of them wondered if I’d be meeting you.”

  “Ah.”

  “Will you remember all that?”

  “Of course. Whitepine down the road. Safe. Five odd letters of arithmetic. Head cook.” She smiled. “I am accustomed to far more complicated reports than this. Say ‘yes’ now, Claary.”

  “Aren’t we going in and holding a challenge.”

  “No.”

  “You want to do it right here?” I squeaked. “People are watching.”

  “They’ve watched before,” she said. “I am going to make a demonstration of power, and it will be done here. Give me permission.”

  “Yes, Queen Lisdee.”

  She smiled, lifted her hand to my chin, and cocked her head. It took seconds before I felt a… vibration. It was only seconds longer before I moaned.

  Four guards converged on us. I hadn’t even noticed them. They began undressing me. I did nothing to fight them. But I could feel the resin climbing my body, and I didn’t even know where it was coming from.

  The queen smiled. I moaned. They undressed me quite quickly. And then they supported as I began to quiver.

  It took a minute, no more. I became entirely coated in shining resin, high on my neck, with only my face and head exposed. I called out, stiffened, called out again, and then slumped. I would have fallen if the guards hadn’t supported me.

  “Ah, Cee,” she said. “Quite lovely. Quite lovely indeed. Bring her, please.” She turned and stepped towards Government House. The guards picked me up, and we hurried after her.

  Royal Slave

  They brought me inside. The queen returned to the ballroom, the guards carrying me along. Everyone was still waiting, and the room buzzed as we entered. The queen strode forward and resumed her seat. The guards carried me. There was a cushion waiting beside the queen’s seat. They lowered me until I knelt upon the cushion and then set me half across her lap. She stoked my hair.

  And there I stayed for the duration of her audience that afternoon. I have no idea what was discussed.

  She was staying with Olivia. I rode in the carriage, pressed against her, and entirely blissed out. They needed to carry me to the bedroom. Once there, Queen Lisdee played with me, giving and receiving pleasure.

  I didn’t talk, but I mewed a lot.

  By morning, I was someone more capable. Queen Lisdee invited me to offer pleasures, and then she directed me to help see to her needs, grooming and dressing her. I loved every moment.

  From that point forward, I was with her nearly every minute of every day. It was nearly impossible for me to pay attention to anything else. I was utterly, completely focused on her. I saw to her needs, filling her glass, for instance, and in between I might be pressed to her side or sitting at her feet, massaging.

  She touched me often, stroked me, kissed me, and each gave me overwhelming pleasure, far more than such simple touches had from anyone else who had owned me. Seeing to her needs filled me even more completely.

  I couldn’t tell you what happened around us. We went to events. I couldn’t tell you which. At some, I sat beside her. Most of the time, I sat on the floor.

  At night, she let me make love to her. Her cries of pleasure each caused me to shudder with my own pleasure. I did anything she asked, and I loved every tiny bit.

  Eventually, we would sleep. I was to sleep on the foot of her bed, leaving her room, but wrapped in my own blanket. Some nights, she gave me a foot, leg, or hand to cling to, at least for a while.

  But then we were to leave Charth. I was barely able to communicate and was still not speaking. But she caressed my face for a few minutes, and that did something. I became more aware. “There you are, Cee,” she said. “Wake up just a little more. There you are. Are you able to think?” I nodded slowly. “Good. Have you traveled more than a day from Charth?” I shook my head. “Then we are going places you have never been. Are you with me enough to make a simple decision?”

  That took a moment to understand, but finally I nodded.

  “Good. I can help you wake up a little more, and then you’ll remember where we go and what we see. Or I can put you back the way you were, and all you’ll think about is pleasing me. I suspect that’s still nearly all you can think about, but both choices would equally please me, and so it is what you want.”

  I thought about it then laid my head in her lap and clung to her.

  “I believe this means you want me to put you back. I need you to be clear. Straighten up.” I did. “Do you want me to put you back?” I nodded. “All right then.” She began stroking my hair. It took moments until I was filled with the deepest pleasure. I lay my head back down and mewed and mewed.

  * * * *

  I don’t know where we went. I don’t know what she saw. I don’t know what she did. I wouldn’t learn until later how long we were gone. I knew only her, my queen.

  * * * *

  And then came the day she freed me. I didn’t know anything at the time. I didn’t know we were at an inn, two days west of Charth. I didn’t know what she was about to do. I only know she allowed me to love her.

  And then she began stroking me.

  I slept, and something was different. I could think, at little, anyway. My head was in a lap, but it wasn’t the queen’s lap.

  “Hello, Cee.”

  Olivia’s lap.

  I clung to her for a minute. I could think, a little. And I began to cry. Olivia spoke soothingly and kissed my head.

  That felt really good.

  I looked at my arm. I was still in red. I was still a slave.

  Slowly, I pushed myself up. I looked at Olivia.

  “She gave you to me,” Olivia said. “You will remain mine while we travel home, and perhaps a few days afterwards. She taught me how to release you slowly. Anything else would be cruel.” She caressed my face. “She loved having you. She’s told me to tell you that when she comes back, she wants you again. She might not push you as deeply next time. But she loved having you. She also wants you to visit Ressaline, but not yet. You will be hers, but only shallowly, because she’ll show you the city.”

  That was too much to understand, but I would remember the words and play it again later, when my thoughts were more alive.

  “We’re staying here one day. You and I will play for a while, and then you will sleep. In the morning, we will go.” She caressed my cheek. “Make love to me, Cee.”

  And I did.

  Decision

  The Baby Blanket Inn was intact when I returned home. Gigi had seen to everything. She looked into my eyes as we reviewed the things she had decided, and then she kissed me sweetly. “Are you okay?”

  “No,” I said. “She was…”

  “You were out of your mind for her,” Gigi said.

  “Did you meet her?”

  “Yes. She said you probably wouldn’t remember.”

  “I don’t. I don't remember much at all.”

  “She was showing off and using you to do it.”

  “Who else would she use?”

  “Olivia.”

  I laughed, weakly, but I laughed. “Sure.”

  “Do you wish she kept you?”

  “No, but I couldn’t possibly resist her, either.”

  “She gave me just a taste of her magic, just a taste.” She paused. “She taught me the magic.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “The devices we use. They’re magic. Apparently, she’s one of only two or three people who can teach someone else how to make them. She taught me. She also taught you, but you might not remember. When you’re ready, we
’ll make one together. She said you’ll know, once you see. We can’t teach anyone else, but we can make them. There aren’t many people in Charth who can. Olivia. A few others.”

  “And us.”

  “Yes.” She smiled. “If you use one you made yourself, it’s more powerful, or so she says. Borrowed ones are like one size fits all shoes.”

  I laughed. “Should be interesting. Did you make one?”

  “Uh huh. Tested it, too.” She grinned. “Maybe I won’t remind you how it works.”

  “Then Olivia will.”

  “I shouldn’t have told you.” She grinned. “I don’t want to know what she’d do to me if I didn’t.”

  “I need a little time, Gigi.”

  “I know.”

  “Then be gentle with me the first time.”

  “I will be.”

  “Kiss me now. I’m going to sleep and worry about the inn tomorrow.”

  She did, and I did.

  * * * *

  It took me another week before I was entirely myself. Then Gigi challenged me, and I’d never lost more quickly to her. “I told you,” she told me. She kept me for two days. It was amazing.

  She taught me how to make the devices. I made one then invited Slip to dinner. She signed some papers and was mine thirty minutes later. I took her so hard she couldn’t speak for the week I kept her, but she sure seemed to enjoy it.

  When I freed her, she clung to me for a long time, then asked to stay the night. We cuddled and talked. She helped with the inn the next day, and the next, and then I sent her home.

  Three days later Captain Bess appeared at the inn. She had a note for me, from Olivia. “You’re an errand girl?”

  “Just read it.”

  It was a polite request to appear at Government House in an hour. “I’m to either return with a message, if you decline, or stay and escort you.”

  “Do you know what’s going on?”

  “If she wanted you to know, she’d have told you in the note.”

  “Do you know how I should dress?”

  “If she wanted you to dress in a particular fashion, but she didn’t tell you, it’s her own fault if you dress in your barmaid clothing.”

  “I’m told I’m an innkeeper.”