Encircled

by Robin Roseau

  “We don’t always get everything we want. Please step aside, or give me a reason why you’re being stubborn and greedy.”

  “You know you’d enjoy it.”

  I sighed. “That’s not the point. We’re going in circles. My slave is worth your slave, straight up. We each put in similar effort, and the only reason we’re here is because your name came up before mine did, so you got to the one I wanted. And I think you did it intentionally. I don’t know why you didn’t just go for the one Bernadette wanted.”

  “I was going to use mine to get you for three months. That’s actually a good deal for you. A permanent slave is worth a lot more than a temporary slave, even if it’s you. I thought I could get some cash out of the deal, too.” She paused then smiled. “And I’ll guarantee the Fairstreet Club deal.”

  “I have the ear of the duchess.”

  “You’re not the only one who wants it,” Mellta said. “And you’re not the only one who has her ear. If she has to pick between a Ressaline and a Charthan, she’ll pick a Ressaline. She has to.”

  I looked into her eye. “You’re still trying to make me over-pay.”

  “Tough. That’s the deal.” Then she stepped aside.

  I looked down at the floor. “Can you deliver? If you can’t deliver, then your slave is worthless to me, and I’ll negotiate with Bernadette directly to stay on her good side.”

  “I can deliver.”

  “I’d need time to make arrangements.”

  “Noon tomorrow at Government House.”

  “You won’t ask for any special terms, anything special you intend to do to me.”

  “No,” they both said.

  “If this is an attempt to convince me to give myself to one of you, it’s going to fail.”

  “It’s not,” Mellta said.

  “Or if it is, you won’t see it coming,” Bernadette added.

  “Fine. One month to each of you. You deliver. We exchange slaves. I get another 24 hours to give everything to Gigi. You may have me in a private ceremony at noon the next day.”

  “No. It will be a public ceremony tomorrow. You will invite Gigi at 2 and give your gifts before the ceremony.”

  “You’re pushing it.”

  “You’ve been taken publicly before. Why do you care?”

  “Why do you?”

  “And you don’t tell anyone why we’re doing this. You offered yourself for a month each. That’s the official story.”

  “Like no one will put two and two together. Why do you want it this way?”

  “Bragging rights.”

  “I’m nobody, Mellta. Who are you going to brag to?”

  “This is the way we want it.”

  “And you’d burn the deal over it?”

  “Would you?”

  I sighed. “No.”

  “We’ll see you at noon,” Bernadette said. “Dress nice.”

  “Right.”

  * * * *

  Mellta delivered. We met with Olivia, who agreed to transfer the Fairstreet Club to Gigi as soon as I called out Bernadette’s name. “I thought Mellta wanted me first.”

  “Second,” she said. “I delivered.”

  I signed everything. Olivia said she would handle the slave and property transfer to Gigi. The guards took me away and had me change. Then I sat around.

  They took me to the gymnasium. There were, oh, fifty people or so. Gigi saw me and ran over. “What’s going on?”

  We kissed, and then Olivia stepped up, leading Gigi’s new slave. “I arranged a present for you,” I said. Olivia held up the two pieces of paper, letting Gigi see what they were. I kissed her again and said, “I’ll see you in two months.”

  “What?”

  Olivia nodded. The guards pulled me away. Two others grabbed Gigi.

  They strapped me down. And then Bernadette took her time.

  * * * *

  I had a very pleasant two months. And I had no idea what it was about when Mellta let me go.

  * * * *

  After that, the two found ways to lure me into challenges. Gigi and I were asked to allow ourselves to be selected at the monthly events. It wasn’t every time that one or the other of them claimed me, but it was often enough.

  I took shorter duration challenges nearly as often as they came my way. And I loved losing to either of them.

  And then one day, I beat Bernadette.

  Of course, I treated her very well then let her go.

  Two months later, I beat Mellta. Two weeks after that, it was Bernadette again. Then I lost to Bernadette, but I began beating them increasingly often.

  They began looking frustrated, and they stepped up how often they challenged me. Laughing, I took their offers. If they were going to just keep giving themselves to me, I’d let them.

  They began asking for longer term arrangements. I lost the first time, but I won the next two. I still didn’t know their game.

  Then Mellta caught me in my quarterly appearance as a potential target at the stadium. I was hers for two weeks, and she had me utterly blissed out the entire time, sharing me with Bernadette and several very talented pleasure slaves. I was utterly blissed out. But it was a narrow win, and it appeared like it was luck more than skill that made the difference.

  I was hers for two weeks, and then she released me. Two days later I was still recovering when she showed up. She invited me for a walk. We found ourselves seated together on a park bench, holding hands with my head on her shoulder.

  And she presented me with a Real Challenge. The terms were actually quite good. The event would cater to my strengths and away from hers. “You’ve been winning in fair games. You could readily beat me.”

  “Why would you risk it?”

  “I think I can win.”

  “Was this your plan a year ago when we fought over a slave trade?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Claary.”

  “You’re good, Mellta,” I said. “You’re quite good. Your games are fun. You’re very gracious as a winner. Winning you is fun, too. But there is no way I want to own a Ressaline, and this is a setup, anyway. You two have been letting me win. I’m actually rather impressed. You’ve made it look like you’ve been really trying. I can’t imagine how hard that has been. You probably practiced together or something. You’ve made it look like you were trying to capitalize on any opening I gave you, but you let me outplay you and make it look like I had performed brilliantly. Bravo.”

  I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I love playing with you. I actually do prefer losing to you than winning, though. Your games after are a lot of fun. I hope my refusal doesn’t end that, but I think it’s going to. I grieve that.” Then I stood up, leaving the papers on the bench and walked away.

  After that, they didn’t go out of their way to play with either Gigi or me, but if either of us offered, they always accepted.

  Integrated

  Queen Lisdee gave her speech. Every single citizen, formerly a citizen of Charthan, was in attendance, as well as the Ressaline women who were calling Charth their permanent home.

  There were a lot of them, nearly 2,000. There were about 80 of us.

  Queen Lisdee talked about the newfound prosperity the combined country experienced. Famine and need was a thing in the past throughout southern Ressaline. “We haven’t solved the issue of transporting food through the mountains, but south of the mountains, no one is left in need.”

  Funny how that works, when you enslave over 95 percent of a neighboring county. She acknowledged that, but pointed out there was universal happiness. The slaves might work hard, but they were all far happier than they were in their previous lives.

  She congratulated Lady Olivia. She thanked the members of her military and the occupying government.

  She even thanked the Charthans, for accepting a peaceful and mutually agreeable solution to the conflict born of centuries of unfair trading policies.

  The crowd cheered frequently. I was quieter. I had helped all th
is happen. Along the way, each choice I had made was designed to making things better for everyone, from the very first day. But I had helped to lull my people, my friends and family. I had, in effect, led them into slavery.

  The fact they had gone quite willingly and couldn’t be happier didn’t really help.

  The fact that I was profiting so much only made me feel greater guilt.

  She finished her speech. “I officially declare Charthan entirely integrated into Ressaline. Congratulations to everyone who helped make this happen.”

  The crowd cheered loudly. I faded away, intending to go home. Instead, I encountered Major Kelress. She interposed herself in my path, and then there were four more guards flanking me. “Queen Lisdee requests your company.”

  “Of course, Major.” I looked left and right. “This is ridiculous, you know. There isn’t a single person who is a threat. What? You thought I was going to cause trouble?”

  “They were only here to help me find you.”

  “Right.”

  “And now we’re all heading in the same direction.”

  “Of course.”

  * * * *

  When I arrived, I saw she already had Gigi. We came to a stop, fifty paces away, waiting for the queen to finish with the woman I most loved.

  Then I watched as she set her hand on Gigi’s cheek. They stood that way for a minute or two before guards stepped forward to remove Gigi’s clothing. And so, I got to see what it looked like when the queen claimed someone else.

  Gigi slumped, now entirely covered in red and orange. The guards picked her up and carried her away. The queen smiled then turned to look in my direction. She turned to leave, or so I thought, but then she paused, turned, and walked straight to me.

  “Good afternoon, Ms. Rosebush.”

  “Good afternoon, Your Majesty,” I said, struggling to keep a gentle tone.

  “Did you enjoy the speech?”

  “It was very inspiring.”

  “Was it? That’s not what I asked. You were less enthusiastic in your applause than others were.”

  “You mentioned many points that would resonate more with those born in Ressaline than those born in Charthan,” I pointed out. “I am quite pleased starvation is at an end, at least south of the mountains. I am glad there was little violence. I am glad the people I once knew as friends, neighbors, and family all appear to be happy. I hope that continues.”

  “Do you have reasons to believe that will end?”

  “I only acknowledge that things can change, subject to the whims of gods, nature, and queens.”

  “Did you suggest I am subject to fleeting whims?”

  “No, Your Majesty.” I sighed.

  “Say what you’re thinking.”

  “There were about 80 women of Charthan birth here today,” I said.

  “83,” she said.

  “To the best I know, that represents every able woman of Charthan birth who is not a slave or too young to become a slave.”

  “Your semantics need work, but yes.”

  “I now wonder if you feel 83 is an overly large number, and you prefer a smaller number, such as 82 or 81.” I squared my shoulders.

  “81 is an ugly number,” she said. “Perhaps zero is the perfect number.”

  “I imagine that number is preferred by many. I am nearly positive Major Kelress thinks zero is a perfect number.”

  “Perhaps,” said Queen Lisdee. “Major, do you own any slaves born in Charthan?”

  “No, Your Majesty.”

  “With your justified dislike of Charthans, I would think you would have acquired quite a few by now.”

  “I don’t believe I would treat them well,” she said. “And I don’t want to become someone who abuses the helpless.”

  I turned to the major. “I imagine if you asked Queen Lisdee, she’d give me to you.”

  “I’m not sure she would,” the major replied. “And I don’t want you, Ms. Rosebush, for the reasons I just stated. I do not blame you personally. You underestimated my age. You were in your mother’s womb when my daughter died.”

  “And for events three years ago?”

  “What events?”

  “The queen chastised you in public,” I said. “And she did so due to my actions.”

  “She wasn’t chastising me. She was chastising you for poorly playing that game.”

  “Ah,” I said. “Even now, three years later, I have had little experience in dealings at this level. I am not even so ranked as a neophyte. I apologize for my clumsy behavior.”

  “I can’t tell if she’s being sarcastic,” Major Kelress said, looking at the queen.

  “Neither can I, but I think she was sincere.”

  I nodded. “Nevertheless, even if you would not hold any of us as your own slaves, I imagine you wouldn’t mind if the last 83 citizens were to experience a different fate.”

  “None of you are responsible for my daughter,” said the major. “The queen will make her decisions but knows I would rather avoid this conversation.”

  “Ah. Then my apologies again, Major,” I said.

  “Well, Ms. Rosebush,” said the queen. “You are undoubtedly right in part. There are undoubtedly some who feel 83 is too expansive a number, and some who would, indeed, prefer zero.”

  “And you, Your Majesty?”

  “I think I prefer… 80-something.”

  “80-something.”

  “81 is an ugly number. I have not yet decided if I prefer 82. It may be that 83, being a prime number, is most perfect. It may take me some time to decide. It was good to see you, Ms. Rosebush. Congratulations on what you have accomplished, and thank you for your help bringing prosperity and happiness to so many people.”

  Then she turned, and I watched her walk away. The major remained with me, but the guards followed after the queen. When I looked, she was watching me. “Will she give Gigi back?”

  “I honestly have no idea,” she replied.

  “If she keeps her, will she even tell me? Or will Gigi just never come home?”

  “I don’t know that, either.”

  I looked into her eyes a moment longer. “Should I feel guilty for what I’ve helped to do?”

  “Not in my eyes,” she replied. “I wonder how many lives you helped to save, Ms. Rosebush. There isn’t a single woman who has been influenced by your choices who isn’t happier than she was five years ago. From everything I can tell, you keep one of the most pleasant households in the entire country, so the slaves you yourself have taken are happier than most. Do you remember your council?”

  “The ones whose actions led to all this? Yes.”

  “Five men were sent north. One man, deemed to have done his best to prevent these actions, was allowed to head south. And three women were permanently enslaved, but were given to officers of the military and kept in their homes here.”

  “I wasn’t sure what happened to them.”

  “The five men sent to Ressaline City were publicly executed.”

  My lips tightened. “I didn’t save them.”

  “You couldn’t possibly have done so. They were responsible for untold deaths, some north of the Ressla river five years ago, and some in the previous decades as my countrywomen died due nearly entirely to their economic policies. Do you blame the queen for her reaction?”

  “Not particularly, no. I wouldn’t have applauded their deaths, but I applauded their expulsion from the council, and that was before I understood the economic aspects.”

  “Your arguments with Lady Olivia directly resulted in saving the lives of the other four,” said the major. “Furthermore, the city was taken with absolutely no loss of life, and you had a part to play in that. It was going to be taken. Would you have preferred it were through violence?”

  “No.”

  “Not even one-sided violence, the attackers dying before overwhelming the defending forces?”

  “Why would that make anything better?”

  “There is an argument that a soldier ma
kes his capture as expensive for the enemy as possible.”

  “I am not a soldier. I was then a 20-year-old barmaid.”

  “Of course. Nothing you did led to suffering, Ms. Rosebush. At no time did you make choices that led to suffering, but you made many that led to better outcomes.”

  “I collaborated with the enemy.”

  “Perhaps,” she said. “But your country was in the wrong. You did nothing to put your country at risk, and you could not have prevented what happened. You helped to ensure the greatest good came from events. You did little alone, but without your influence, some of the women of this city would have chosen to fight. Some would have died, perhaps some on both sides. As you say: what good would that have done? And others would have taken death over enslavement. You have felt enslavement, and you know how good it feels. Is death better?”

  “Not in my opinion, but it’s not my place to say.”

  “You can only do the best you can do,” she said. “Do you wish things had ended differently?”

  “Perhaps I would have preferred not 83, but 500.”

  “And, as you say, there are many who preferred 0, and who preferred the number be reached far more rapidly and with far greater trauma. There is much hate.” I inclined my head.

  “I do not believe you should feel guilt,” she said. “I would not have made the same choices, but I would have gotten people killed for no benefit. It was better you were making the choices rather than me, and better it was Lady Olivia rather than me. Which is why I guard the queen, and Lady Olivia guards Charthan.”

  I inclined my head again. “Thank you, Major. Am I free to go?”

  “Yes, Ms. Rosebush.”

  I turned and began walking away. But then she said, “Ms. Rosebush?” I turned. “I will write to you if I believe you should end your hope.”

  “That is very kind, Major. Thank you.”

  * * * *

  I went home. I wasn’t ready to tell Gigi’s slaves I didn’t know if she would return.

  I didn’t know what I’d do without her.

  Final Summons

  The queen remained in Charth for three weeks. During that time, Gigi wasn’t her only slave. For this trip, she had brought several with her from Ressaline City. While traveling through Charth, she passed through a small village as a young woman was celebrating her sixteenth birthday. Queen Lisdee claimed the woman. I don’t know if she was willing. Upon reaching Charth, two more sixteen-year-olds also offered themselves to her for their First.