Diplomat

by Robin Roseau

  Tarleet looked at her, and then Dee tugged my arm and gestured. Cha was crossing the room, and Dee nudged me to the side so she could take Tarleet’s arm. Tarleet looked back and forth between them.

  “Some of the others didn’t recognize what was happening,” Dee said. “Are you going to let them take you with them, Tarleet?”

  “Yes,” she said.

  The three turned, and we watched as the slaves led a clearly nervous young woman from the room. I waited, and then I turned to the woman who had spoken. I held out my hand. “Allium Cuprite.”

  “Melistara,” she replied, clasping with me.

  “You are Olivia’s aide.”

  “One of them, yes.”

  “I’m sorry we haven’t met already.”

  “You’re just getting settled, and it’s only been a few days.” She offered a smile. “I met Tarleet two days ago and begged Olivia for a chance. I’ll take good care of her, Ambassador.”

  “I know you will. I won’t hold you. Go. See to my aide.”

  “Thank you for understanding, Ambassador.” She turned, and the rest of us watched her hurry from the room.

  “I am to keep you here until Olivia returns,” Dee said to me. “If we are not here, she will assume I have taken you upstairs.”

  “Is Olivia claiming anyone?”

  “No.”

  “Take me wherever you want, Dee.”

  She laughed happily and pulled me from the room.

  * * * *

  We didn’t make love. Instead, she led me to a room set up as a spa. I let her remove my clothing, and then I climbed onto the massage bench. I was still there when Olivia found us. I saw her boots and beside her, more red resin. I tried to get up, but Dee pressed her weight into my back. “Stay where you are.”

  Olivia laughed. “Do what you’re told, Allium. I like this view.”

  “Olivia!” I complained. “Dee, give me a bathrobe.”

  “I don’t want to,” she said.

  “Dee, give me a bathrobe,” I repeated.

  She paused, and then she lifted away from me. I sat up, and she had a robe from me, but she looked deeply hurt. I cupped her cheek. “I love you,” I told her. “But I do not want to hear from Olivia while naked and not giving her proper attention.”

  “I wouldn't have minded,” Olivia said.

  “I would,” I said. “Lady Olivia, Dee has offered a challenge. Is that something she is allowed to do?”

  “When she has permission, it is. What terms were discussed?”

  “A variety of terms were discussed. She suggested if I give her a week, she can teach me to begin winning.”

  Olivia laughed. “Good. Did you accept?”

  “Tentatively.”

  “Make it less tentative. Saturday in public.”

  “Public?” I echoed.

  “Yes. I believe this will be your first public challenge. You’ll share Dee’s duties to me, but the rest of the time you belong entirely to her.”

  “And you’re sure she’ll win?”

  “Olivia, may I do my own negotiation for the event?” Dee asked.

  “Of course,” Olivia said.

  I looked at Olivia then over at Dee. They were both watching me. But if I had intended to decline, looking at Dee was the wrong move. “Okay,” I whispered.

  She and Bee clapped happily. Dee moved closer, and I couldn’t take my eyes from her. “I will give you a choice of four standard event types,” she said. “I will pick two from those that begin entirely evenly and two that begin in some sort of mismatched fashion.”

  “All right,” I said.

  “My lessons do not begin when you lose,” she said. “They begin whenever you ask for a lesson, with Lady Olivia’s blessing on timing.”

  “All right,” I agreed.

  “The duration for lessons will be overnight,” she said. “And you will accept instruction however I chose to offer it.”

  “This sounds like a trap.”

  “You’ll love it.”

  I laughed. “All right.”

  She kissed me. “You are forgiven for asking for a bathrobe.”

  “That is settled then,” Olivia said. “Allium, it was a close call with three of them, but ultimately they all stayed of their own free will.”

  “It’s done, then?”

  “Yes. They have all gone home with their owners. I will send a list to you tomorrow so you know where they are, but I do not want you to interfere.”

  “I won’t. They’re all pleasure slaves?”

  “Yes,” Olivia confirmed. “I spread them out, and I made choices further afield than I normally do. I tend to rely heavily on the same group of people. But they will all be taken care of. I promise you.”

  “Thank you, Olivia,” I said. “I’m still going to worry.”

  “I know,” she said. “How are you doing?”

  “All right. Thank you for giving me to Dee tonight.” I leaned against her lightly, and she wrapped an arm around my back.

  “I am loaning you two clerk-slaves while you have no staff,” she said. “I’ll bring them by in the morning.”

  “Thank you, Olivia.”

  “Good.” She smiled. “Staying?”

  “Am I invited?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then yes.”

  “Bee, Dee,” she said. “You may do anything to either of us you like, but it is late.”

  “Allium’s backrub was interrupted,” Dee said. She turned to me. “You will obey me.”

  I smiled. “All right.”

  “Take that off and lie down.”

  * * * *

  I didn’t realize she had done it until it was too late. She began tickling me. Tickling me! I tried to get away and found she’d strapped me to the bench. “Dee!” I yelped.

  Seconds later, I heard a similar complaint from Olivia.

  They both drove us crazy, but then their touches changed, and they drove us crazy in a new way.

  And then, somewhat later, Dee let me up and said, “Come to bed with us.” And shortly after that, they ordered us, “Make love to us.”

  They were both very appreciative, and I very much enjoyed holding her while I drifted to sleep.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Olivia brought me Cha and Vi-vi, two black-clad slaves with Charthan accents. She introduced them then told them to wait outside my office. She took a seat and talked about the care and feeding of a clerk-slave. “I’ll send a housekeeper twice a week,” she added. We talked for a few minutes. “Clearly, they know their way around Charth, and they’re capable of running errands. Allium, you can have a hundred women who would help you settle in, and I will help however you ask. But I imagine you want to do some of this yourself.”

  “Do we have any professional business pending?”

  “Only the things you already know about. My preference is for you to become settled in and learn more about us.” She paused. “If you decide this place is just too quiet, you have options, including moving into my home.”

  “Is that what you think is best?”

  “I’m not you,” she said. “It is your decision. You are welcome in my home. I may be disappointed if you take the other extreme, and I never see you.”

  “You won’t be disappointed if I base myself here.”

  “No, Allium. I want what is best for you. If you change your mind, that is fine, too.” She grinned. “You’re already going to spend a week.”

  “I think I’d like to get to know your city and more of your people.”

  “I think that’s a good plan.”

  “Could we do that as a mix of my making my own arrangements, and you making some?”

  “I like that plan.”

  We discussed that for a little longer, and then she stood up. “We will do lunch together on Saturday, and you’ll belong to Dee until the following Saturday.”

  I laughed. “We’ll see.” That, of course, was entirely bravado.

  * * * *

  I looked at
Cha and Vi-vi. “Do the two of you prefer separate rooms or to share a room?”

  “Separate,” Cha answered. “If you do not mind, Ambassador.”

  “We have ample room,” I said. “I would prefer if you call me Allium.”

  “Yes, Allium,” she said.

  We saw to rooms, getting them settled, then returned to my office. I asked about the sort of duties they normally did, then I admitted, “I don’t have many duties here for the next week or two, but then I will grow busy. For now, I intend to learn about the city, and I will accept social engagements.” I nudged an envelope to the corner of my desk. “How do I have this delivered?”

  Vi-vi stepped forward. “You give it to me, and I see to it,” she said.

  “All right. But I won’t learn anything if you just do it.”

  “What do you wish to learn.”

  “What you do to have it delivered.”

  “I deliver it,” she said. “However, we can also use the post. May I make suggestions?”

  “Of course.”

  “I can set up two baskets,” she said. “One would be for letters you wish delivered in a personal fashion, and the other for letters that may go out by the normal post. For normal post, expect one or two days to deliver. Pickup will be late morning, but if you have more, I can bring them to the postal service in the evening.”

  “See to it. I have funds for you.” She nodded, and so I said, “I wish you to produce a list of locations in and near Charth that you feel I should know. Restaurants, theaters, parks, important shopping locations, museums, monuments, and anything of that nature. Do you have any libraries?”

  “Yes,” Cha said. “There is an important library across the green from Government House and two smaller ones, one near the south gate and the other in the eastern quarter.”

  “What are their hours?”

  “I don’t understand the question.”

  “If I wished to visit the library near Government House, when could I go?”

  “The doors are never locked,” she said. “If you wish assistance, there will be people there from first light until sunset every day except Saturday.”

  “Do people check out books to take home?”

  “No. You must read the books in the library,” she explained. “If there are books you desire, we will find them for you.”

  “If I suggested I wanted several books that will help me understand Charth and Ressaline, would you be able to find them?”

  “Yes, Allium.”

  “Then that is your second assignment, once the two of you have the list of places I should know.”

  * * * *

  It was odd having slaves, I decided. But they saw to my needs, and they seemed quite pleased to do so.

  I’d offered the following evening to Fiarleen, the middle of her three recommendations. I was ready when she arrived. Cha found me in my room, putting on the finishing touches. I turned to her. “How do I look?”

  “Quite lovely, Allium. Ms. Fiarleen is here.”

  “Thank you, Cha. Cha?”

  “Yes, Allium?”

  “Olivia told me how to see to your needs. Do you feel satisfied so far?”

  “Yes, Allium,” she said.

  “I want you to be completely honest with me.”

  “I am not capable of lying to you.”

  “Perhaps not, but I bet you’re capable of not telling me everything.” She dropped her gaze. “Did Olivia tell you that your duties include teaching me?”

  “Yes,” she said.

  “Good. This is an opportunity to teach me.”

  She looked up. “It feels best when we’re busy,” she said.

  “It will get busier,” I said. “I’m not sure what to do right now. Do you have suggestions?”

  “You can assign us any duties, Allium. Any work you assign feels good.”

  “Let me think about that. What about when you’re not working? Does Olivia fill your entire day with work?”

  “No,” she said. “We typically work her hours, and then we help in other ways, such as for her events.”

  “I know you aren’t pleasure slaves,” I said. “But do you and Vi-vi find pleasure from each other?”

  “No,” she said. “Vi-vi is not Olivia’s. She belongs to Gigi.”

  “Oh, I didn’t realize.”

  “Olivia lets Dee and Bee play with me.” She smiled. I didn’t blame her. “Allium, could we read the books we found for you?”

  “Of course,” I said. “I’m sorry. I don’t have many other books. But if you assemble a proposal for buying more books, we can discuss it.”

  “Thank you, Allium.”

  “You will be fine here tonight?”

  “Yes, Allium. Do not worry about us. Enjoy your evening.”

  As I said, having slaves was odd.

  * * * *

  Fiarleen was waiting. She turned and smiled as I began descending the stairs. She was dressed in leather, somewhat more ornately adorned than her clothing the other day. She watched me with clear pleasure. The attention felt good.

  I crossed the foyer to her, took her hands, then leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Where are you taking me?”

  “Dinner and a walk,” she said. “Is that all right?”

  “That is lovely,” I said. I offered my arm.

  She had an open carriage waiting, driven by a slave wearing blue. Fiarleen handed me up and then settled in next to me. A moment later, we were moving. “How are you settling in?”

  “Well,” I said. “The embassy has grown very quiet.”

  “I imagine,” she said.

  We chatted easily, first in the carriage, and then over a lovely dinner. Afterwards, she took my hand. We took a short carriage ride, and then we climbed out and strolled through a park, eventually sitting down on one of the benches.

  We stayed there for an hour or so, talking about growing up, our jobs, and otherwise getting to know each other.

  Then she grew quiet, but she brushed at a lock of hair. “I haven’t really done this before.”

  “Sat on a bench talking to another woman?”

  “No, actually,” she said. “But I meant this. I’ve never had a date.”

  “I’m not sure I believe you.”

  “I have an active social life with friends, but this is different. I’ve never invited a woman home with me.”

  “You still haven’t. Fiarleen, I like you, and I enjoy your company, but I’m a little overwhelmed by my new life here, and frankly, I’m nervous about tomorrow.”

  “What is happening tomorrow.”

  “I am having a challenge with one of Lady Olivia’s slaves.”

  Her eyes widened. “No wonder everyone is buying tickets!”

  “They’re what?” I screeched.

  “I could be wrong,” she said quickly. “Tomorrow is not normally a big event at the arena.”

  “Arena?” I squeaked.

  “Right. The monthly event is next week. When the Ressalines first came, every Saturday was a big day, but over the years, it’s died down.”

  “Start from the beginning. There’s an arena.”

  “Yes. Outside the city.”

  “All right. I’ve heard about that. And I’ve heard about the monthly event, if you mean the one you have to do twice a year.”

  “I did my second one last month,” she said. “I lost, but it was fun.”

  “Okay. Keep going.”

  “Well, if you want a public event, they’re nearly always at the arena,” she said.

  “And they sell tickets?” I felt my voice rising again.

  “Yes. You didn’t know.”

  “Olivia declared a public event. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, but now she’s inviting the entire city to watch me lose to a slave.”

  She laughed. “Which one?”

  “Dee.”

  She laughed again. “You are so going to lose. If it was one of her other slaves – well, not Bee, she’s as deadly as her sister – you might hav
e a chance. What are you doing?”

  “Dee said she’d give me four different choices from the standard events. I have to pick.”

  “You are so going to lose,” Fiarleen said. “Enjoy.”

  “You’re enjoying this.”

  “I just wonder if there is still time to buy a ticket,” she replied with a grin.

  “What are the rules for the monthly event?”

  She laughed. “You want to know?”

  “Yeah. And when will you next participate?”

  She laughed again. “If you sign up, I’ll participate.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  I eyed her. “I want to know the rules.”

  “Sign up, and I’ll tell you.”

  “Do you really think I can’t find out somewhere else? You’re trying to trap me.”

  “Of course I am. The rules are simple. You are not required to participate, but you may if you want. If you are not yet a citizen, or if you are fulfilling your twice-annual obligation, then you are in one group. If you are a citizen, then you are in the other group.”

  “You’re a citizen.”

  “I am,” she said. “The citizens pick who they wish to challenge.”

  “What else?”

  “The duration is two weeks. There are other details, but I think you have the important points.”

  “So if I sign up…”

  “There will be 300 people racing to claim you first.”

  “I have to beat all of them?”

  “No, no. One challenger per person. So one of those 300 will be your lucky challenger. We draw lots.”

  “Oh.”

  She grinned. “You were hoping to catch me.”

  “Yes,” I said.

  “We can do a challenge any time you want, Allium.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” I said. “That’s next week?”

  “You should ask Olivia to take you. You’ll be half out of it, depending upon when Dee releases you, but you should go, anyway.”

  “Not as a participant?”

  “No, no.”

  I nodded. “I’m sorry, Fiarleen. I’m not going home with you tonight.”

  “I understand,” she said. “But I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I sighed.

  * * * *

  She took me home. On the steps to the embassy, I moved into her arms. “I had a nice time. I’m sorry to disappoint you.”