Encircled

by Robin Roseau

  And so, Gigi wasn’t alone.

  The queen kept her slaves with her as she visited the city. I was far too busy – and it hurt too much – to devote personal attention, but word came to me nearly daily. Gigi was seen here; Gigi was seen there. Word came of the queen as well, and of her other slaves, and of the way she chose to play with them, or the games she ordered them to play.

  But in all the reports, she kept Gigi close, as close as any of the others.

  It was perhaps two weeks into the queen’s visit that I next saw them. I was managing my responsibilities and Gigi’s as well, and I had just left The Fairstreet Club, checking with Gigi’s slaves to ensure the club was doing well. The club was my last stop in a tour of our various businesses, and I intended to return to The Baby Blanket Inn prior to the dinner rush, but I had time.

  I detoured through one of the markets, and that was when I saw them, the Queen’s delegation leaving as I entered. Mostly I saw backs, a small cadre of guards, a greater number of red and orange slaves, and Queen Lisdee herself. Then they came to a stop. Lisdee turned, looked for a moment, and then gazed directly at me. Slowly, she smiled. Then, I thought quite pointedly, she looked down.

  Gigi was kneeling beside her, having lowered herself the moment Lisdee had come to a stop. She was looking up at the queen with an expression I was sure I had worn, three years ago.

  Lisdee caressed Gigi’s cheek. She spoke, although the distance was much too great for me to hear. She bent her head and kissed Gigi, a long, deep kiss. Then Lisdee looked up at me, patted Gigi’s head, and turned.

  I watched them walk away, sure that was the last time I would see my dearest love.

  A week later, to less fanfare than her arrival, but not completely lacking in ceremony, the queen departed Charth, heading north to Ressaline City. I didn’t watch, but I heard she took her slaves with her.

  Whether that included Gigi, I didn’t know.

  But I grew to hate Lisdee. She played with our lives, not caring of the damage she caused, and she did so purely for her own amusement.

  * * * *

  I heard no word. I heard nothing from Major Kelress, but I also heard nothing from Olivia. I didn’t know if Gigi was halfway to Ressaline City, or recuperating from her own experiences with Lisdee.

  Three times I set off for Olivia’s, to ask her if Gigi was coming home. Three times, I turned around, afraid of the answer.

  Or perhaps I was afraid of my response if what I feared was true.

  I blamed Olivia. Again, I blamed Olivia. And that made me angry. I had no real right to complain. My life was nearly perfect. The arrival of the Ressalines five years ago could not have turned out better for me. I wouldn’t say I was rich, but I was on the way to it. I wanted for nothing, absolutely nothing. My collection of inns, taverns, and restaurants were all successful. My slaves adored me, and it wasn’t just due to the magic. Gigi loved me, and I thought Olivia might as well. My mother and sister were happy, although I still grieved my loss.

  And for that, and for Gigi, I blamed Olivia.

  And so, I was afraid. I ran conversations through my head, conversation after conversation. Not a single one ended well. In most of them, I tried to remain calm, but I could work myself up into a real snit, and in the end, in each conversation, I did something that couldn’t be undone.

  And so I turned around, and I didn’t visit the duchess, the woman who could tell me if Gigi would ever come back to me.

  I was surrounded by love, and I ached. My slaves tried to bring me comfort. Why wasn’t that enough?

  * * * *

  I waited a week, exactly one week. When I woke the morning, seven days after the queen had left, and I hadn’t heard a single word about Gigi, I was sure I wasn’t going to. Or if I did, it would be a letter from Major Kelriss posted from Ressaline City.

  I hoped Gigi would be well cared for. I wondered what the duchess would do about Gigi’s club and her slaves.

  For the day, I went through the motions. I didn’t check my other businesses. Instead, I assigned myself duties at The Baby Blanket, duties I rarely handled myself anymore.

  It was after dinner that I chose to do some paperwork from the main room. I sat down at a corner table, ledgers spread about, and kept a half eye on things while working through the books.

  Apparently I wasn’t keeping even a half an eye on things, because I was quite startled when the chair opposite me was pulled out, and Captain Bess sat down. I looked up at her, and I was sure pain was in my eyes. “Go away.”

  She raised an eyebrow then tapped the insignia on her shoulders. I stared. “Those aren’t captain’s bars.”

  “No, they aren’t,” she said. “I indicate them for two reasons.”

  “You received a promotion.”

  “That is one reason. The other is this: I am on duty.”

  I swore but then asked, “Major?”

  She smiled broadly and nodded. “In fairness, nearly everyone received a promotion, but you won’t see many soldiers in here anymore.”

  “I suppose they’re needed elsewhere.”

  “Oh, no. But the time to keep a standing force is long past. Most of us are able to return to our old lives.”

  “That’s been happening for a while,” I said. I looked at the insignia. “Congratulations, Major. Go away.”

  She tapped the insignia. “On duty.”

  I sighed. “What do you want?”

  “I need you to come with me.”

  “Not interested.”

  “I’m not sure this is optional.”

  “Bess, I can’t talk to her right now.”

  “You don’t even know what she wants.”

  “She’s going to tell me Gigi isn’t coming back and talk to me about her property and slaves.”

  “That’s one guess,” Bess said. “Maybe she’s giving all of them to me, and she wants you to facilitate the process.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure if that was true, you could just tell me.”

  “Pack up and tell your slaves to see to things here. Claary, that’s not a request.”

  I stared at her then finally said, “Your promotion has gone to your head.”

  “I’ve always had that authority; you’ve just never forced me to use it.” I didn’t move. Bess raised her own eyebrow. “You’re not really going to force me to acquire assistance, are you?”

  “I want to ask you something.”

  “Don’t ask any questions if you’re not ready for the answer.”

  “There are just over 80 of us,” I said. “That is, born in Charth who are now citizens, or there were that many a month ago. I suppose it could have changed.”

  “And?”

  “How do you personally feel about that number?” Something passed across her face, although I’m not sure what. She looked away, her gaze wandering the room for a while. “Answer me honestly, and I won’t give you any more trouble,” I said softly.

  “I have never lied to you,” she said. She looked back at me. “I’ve always felt we were friends, Claary. Haven’t you?”

  “I’m just a barmaid,” I said. “Fine. A glorified barmaid. Until five years ago, it wouldn’t have occurred to me anyone from Ressaline City was more sophisticated than I was, even at my tender years. I’ve grown to realize how wrong I was.”

  “I’m not sure what that has to do with this.”

  “Bess, how do you feel about 80?”

  “As a friend, Claary,” she said, “I’m asking you to retract the question.”

  “Why?”

  “Consider my two possible answers,” she said. “Either I feel the way some people do: that we should have enslaved every last one of you. Or I feel Queen Lisdee and Duchess Charthan made mistakes. If I answer one way, you’re going to hate me. If I answer the other, I’m criticizing the queen.”

  “Oh.” I lowered my gaze. “I retract my question,” I said in a subdued tone.

  At that, Bess reached across the table and took my han
d. I let her. “I want you to consider something. You have belonged to me more than I’ve belonged to you. But at any time did you feel I didn’t enjoy it, either way?”

  “No,” I said.

  “Whether I think some things should have been done differently than they were, I wouldn’t want to change how things have happened with you, Claary,” she said earnestly.

  “I’ve belonged to other Ressalines,” I said. “Some of them are far more creative than I am.”

  “So?” she asked.

  “If you can play with them, why would you play with me?”

  “There are so many things wrong with that question, Claary,” she said.

  “I make you work here. I’m just a common barmaid.”

  She shook her head. “I’m just a soldier.”

  “You’re a major. That’s more than just a soldier.”

  “How many inns and restaurants do you own?”

  “I didn’t do anything to build those businesses.”

  “No, but all of them are running better under your leadership than they were,” she replied.

  “That’s easy when you have slave labor,” I said.

  She sighed. “You’re in a mood,” she said. “Why is it you never asked these questions when you were in a position to force the answers?”

  “Because that seems wrong.”

  “You just made my point, but you can’t even see it,” she said. She sighed again then squeezed my hand. “May I help you put your ledgers away?”

  It was my turn to sigh, but I folded the books, methodically cleaned and stowed my pen, and then collected it all together. I called Slip over and asked her to put everything away for me.

  * * * *

  “Good evening, Duchess,” I said tightly. “You summoned me? Thank you for waiting for the dinner hour to be over.”

  Olivia appeared to ignore my tone. Instead she gestured, and I fell into step beside her as she led the way through her home, Bess and the other three members of my so-called honor guard following along behind us. Olivia led us to her ballroom, which seemed odd. On arriving, she gestured to the guards, who took positions near the door. Meanwhile, she led me deeper into the room, and we came to a stop near the center of the dance floor.

  It was only near the center, as there was a bench set up, the same bench I’d been bent over more than once. I didn’t think this was coincidence.

  “What’s going on, Duchess?” I asked.

  “I am operating on orders from Her Majesty, Queen Lisdee,” Olivia replied. “Are you going to fight me, Claary?”

  I eyed the bench. I eyed Olivia. I considered requests. I considered begging. I considered yelling. I considered doing my best to make her feel guilty. Instead, I did none of that. I simply looked down at the floor and said, “No.”

  “Good.” She moved to one side of the bench. “Come here, please.” I stepped forward, facing her over the back of the bench. I said nothing as she took my wrist and bound it, and then the other.

  “Where are Dee and Bee?” I asked. Olivia didn’t answer me right away, and so I lifted my eyes to hers. “Olivia? Did she take them?”

  She paused in what she was doing, looking up at me. “Don’t fight me, Claary.”

  “I’m not fighting,” I said. I shook my first wrist, not wrapped in rope, and then meekly offered the other. “Will you answer me?”

  “Don’t fight me,” was her only response.

  She bound my wrists and then cranked them tighter. I bellied to the bench and bent over slightly as my arms were pulled across the bench and down.

  Then Olivia stepped around behind me. I said nothing as she began to undress me, even stepping out of things as she pulled them down around my ankles. She rendered me as naked as she could this way.

  I said nothing. What was there to say?

  “I was told to bind your hands this way before I began undressing you,” Olivia said. “I’m sorry.” She produced a knife and cut the rest of my clothing from me, setting it aside. Then she knelt down and bound my ankles.

  I said nothing as she walked back to the other side of the bench and began turning the cranks that pulled my legs apart. Then she worked, one arm, the other, then one leg, then the other, until finally I was fully stretched across the bench, looking at the floor, my arms and legs pulled tightly.

  I kept my mouth closed, my lips tight. So this was how it was to be. I wasn’t that surprised.

  Finally, Olivia said, “There.” She stood and moved to stand beside me. She stroked my back, leaning over the bench herself to reach my bottom. She gave it a friendly pat. “Lisdee thought you would rebel.” She rubbed my bottom. “I imagine you’re not very happy with me right now.”

  Then I heard boots clicking against the floor. I tried looking up, but Olivia set her hand on the back of my head and pushed down. “No,” she ordered. “Head down, Cee.” I said nothing but did as I was told.

  Boots appeared, and then legs adorned in leather. Beside them on either side, the feet and legs of two slaves, one on either side. The new arrival walked all around me, saying nothing, but running her fingers over my bare skin. She came to a stop beside me and patted my bottom.

  “I told her you wouldn’t fight.”

  “Gigi?”

  She caressed my bottom. “Hello, Lover. This is a good view.”

  “Gigi!” I started crying. “Gigi! Oh Gigi.” She patted my bottom then walked around the bench before kneeling down in front of me. She lifted my head and then leaned up, kissing me. I cried into the kiss, and my lover caressed my cheek.

  “Shh,” she said. “Did you miss me?”

  “Gigi,” I whispered. “I thought you were gone.”

  She brushed at my tears with a delicate hand then kissed the corner of each eye. “I like seeing you like this,” she said.

  “Crying my eyes out?” I stuttered.

  “No, lovely one,” she replied. “Bent over and ready for me.” She brushed my cheeks again and kissed me sweetly. Then she ducked under the ropes pulling my arms forward and straightened, moving to my side and leaning against the bench, her hand on my back. I turned my head, trying to look at her. “Do you want to know what’s going to happen now?”

  “I think I can guess.”

  “Queen Lisdee plays games,” Gigi said. She leaned further and rubbed my bottom. “This one is hers. If you were troublesome, one thing would happen. If you cooperated, something entirely different is allowed to happen.” She patted. “She spent her entire visit finding ways to help the people who were most crucial to the success here.” She stroked my back, and I shivered. “That includes the two of us.”

  She walked around the bench until she was standing behind me, her hand resting casually on my bottom. “Bee,” Gigi said. “Dee. You may have some fun.”

  The two slaves moved forward, crouching down in front of me and looking up at me. We smiled at each other. Bee brushed my cheek. “Don’t cry anymore,” she said. “Everything is going to be perfect.” She kissed me, then Dee did.

  And then they began touching.

  * * * *

  Bee and Dee outdid themselves. By the time Gigi entered me with her device, I was long past begging for it. Gigi entered me, easily and smoothly, laughing as she did so.

  “There’s no resin,” I complained. “Why is there no resin?”

  “The queen taught me a trick or two,” Gigi said. “If you’re good, Olivia and I will teach them to you. Can you see your feet?”

  I ducked my head. Yes, I could see my feet. The resin was climbing my legs, red with swirls of orange. Gigi laughed. “Plenty of resin,” she said.

  I watched as the resin climbed higher. I had no idea how they were doing that. I panted and moaned as Gigi took me, as my lover claimed me. And as the final shudders began, I called out her name.

  * * * *

  We clung together as Gigi took me home. I held her tightly, thanking her over and over for coming home to me. “You’re welcome, Cee.”

  * * * *

>   We played.

  We played nearly non-stop for three days, it seemed. Olivia came over, bringing Dee and Bee with her. Major Bess came, and she had her own slaves, two 18-year-old girls from Ressaline City, offered to Bess for their First Enslavements.

  Gigi and I played. We played together. We included my pleasure slaves and hers.

  On the fourth day, she said, “I need to check on The Fairstreet Club. I’d bring you with me, but if I do, I won’t be able to think about anything else. Olivia has asked if she may borrow you for the day. Would you like that?”

  Silly question.

  And so Gigi brought me to Government House, leading the way to Olivia’s office. Bee and Dee were there, kneeling to Olivia. They saw me and began squealing, running over to take me from Gigi. They both hugged and kissed me then pulled me to Olivia. She and I kissed, then the sisters pulled me down to kneel to the duchess. Gigi laughed and stepped over, lifting my chin. “You will obey Olivia, Bee, and Dee.”

  “Yes, Gigi.”

  She kissed me, caressed my cheek, and promised to see me later.

  The moment the door closed behind her, Olivia told us, “The three of you may have a little fun for a few minutes, then we have to go.”

  The two sisters glanced at each other, and then they pounced on me, dragging me away from Olivia. I laughed as they pinned me to the floor, Dee straddling my chest and Bee on my legs. Dee captured my arms and pinned them to the floor over my head, and then Bee began tickling me.

  They were thorough about it, too, but then Olivia said, “It’s time to go, girls. Come with me.”

  Laughing, the sisters climbed off me then helped me stand. I was forced to catch my breath as we followed after Olivia. We excited Government House and climbed into a carriage. I thought she was taking us home. But instead, we rode to the arena. Again, we followed Olivia.

  She led us to one of the preparation rooms in the arena, and then she said, “We’re having a number of events today, and the three of you will help to run them. Have fun.”