“I have sent for a salve,” came Phanisar’s voice, moving my hair away from my back. “Once applied, I shall also give you a potion for sleep.”
Again his potions. Had I been able, I would have thrown his hand from me. “I wish none of what males offer,” I whispered, pained. “Keep what you have for use upon each other. I did not ask to come here. I do not wish your aid.”
Deep silence greeted my words, and from it came a dizziness to surround me so that I fairly fainted away.
My wrists were bound with leather when I next opened my eyes. Still I lay face down upon the blue silk, yet had my wrists been bound, separately, to the metal of the platform. Never shall I find ease upon a platform, for the proper place for taking one’s rest is upon sleeping leather, flat upon Mida’s ground. No more than an ache was there left from the lashing, therefore did I attempt to free my wrists from the leather.
“Lie still,” came a voice, yet this time was it Galiose rather than Phanisar. Then came a creak, as of one rising from a seat, and heavy steps approached me. Galiose came to view upon my left, and no longer did he show the signs of Mida’s tears, though the sound of them came clearly from beyond the window. Briefly he studied me, then folded his arms across his chest.
“You must lie as you are for some time yet,” said he, “for Phanisar would see the salve undisturbed. With his permission shall you be unbound.”
“I would be unbound now,” said I, of a sudden aware that my hair was held well away from my back by some device. “I do not care to lie here so, nor do I wish my hair as it is.”
Annoyance flickered across his broad face, and he looked at me sharply. “You shall remain as you are till Phanisar wishes otherwise,” said he, his voice nearly a growl. “How long have you been war leader for your wenches, girl?”
“Nearly three kalod have passed since I slew her who was war leader before me,” said I, wondering why he would know. “I do not wish to await Phanisar’s pleasure, and would . . . ”
“You shall not be released!” he snapped, greater anger growing within him. “Too long have your word and your wishes been unopposed, and such bodes not well for a female. Men have little patience for willful wenches, and a female would be wise to recall the fact, should she wish to avoid punishment!”
“I see little reason to associate with males other than with a sword,” said I, my annoyance growing at his. “Does Galiose still refuse to meet Jalav so?”
“Galiose regrets having met Jalav in any manner!” he shouted, fists on hips. “On the morrow shall you be given to Nolthis, a Captain of my Guard, who is foolish in no way save that he wishes the possession of a she-lenga! Then, the Serene Oneness willing, I shall be rid of you!”
“Jalav shall not be given to a male!” I shouted in return, pulling at the leather. “Jalav and the Hosta shall ride free!”
“Jalav goes to Nolthis,” he repeated, his anger grown deep and cold. “Inala and I shall pass the darkness elsewhere, for I would not have her disturbed seeing you so. For some cause beyond reason, my woman has a fondness for you. My chamber is now yours.”
A final glare did he send before moving from the platform, and then came the sound of a door aswing, interrupting his footsteps. My fury at his words lasted till I recalled my earlier intent, then I groaned most feelingly. The lashing was to have been to a purpose, and now had my foolish tongue seen the purpose undone. Galiose would not take his eyes from me till his male had come, and as surely as Mida ruled her warriors would the High Seat then caution his male to do as he did. Ah, Mida! Is there no way for you to silence your warrior when silence would be best? Perhaps by use of a hand to mouth, as Ceralt had so often. The thought had not come by volition, and quickly did I banish it. No longer had I to think of that male, for he was truly gone. Telion had said so, and no call had Telion to lie. Ceralt was gone, and soon Jalav, too, must be gone. I heard the door swing, yet none entered, therefore did I know that Galiose had left one to see that his word was obeyed. I had thought upon the wisdom of chewing through the leather which bound me, yet now would the effort prove wasted. Mida’s tears continued to strike the window in anger, yet was there naught save weariness within me. I rested my head upon the blue silk, and awaited what would come.
Despite all things, the darkness passed most rapidly. Sleep would not stay from me, though I yet lay upon the platform, and no more than a single time did I waken to the ache in my middle. The pain passed quickly, and again sleep took me, allowing no time for thought. Then was there a hand at my hair, and my eyes opened to see the leather and metal of a male quite near. My hair fell free once more, and the male backed a step or two, the better to study me. Large was the male, of a size with Galiose who was also present, possessed of gold-hued hair worn long and bound, green eyes astare at me where I lay bound upon the blue silk. Faintly did I recall the male, having seen him about the dwelling of Galiose, yet I knew him not. Heated indeed was the look he gave to me, yet I turned my face from him in complete disinterest. A chuckle came, and the faint creak of leather.
“High spirited, as I knew,” said a voice, presumably that of he of the gold-hued hair. “She shall be a source of amusement and delight. My thanks are boundless, Blessed One.”
“Do not be hasty with your thanks, Nolthis,” came the voice of Galiose, dry and annoyed. “The wench is completely undisciplined, and stubborn beyond belief. May you have more success with her than Ceralt had.”
“I am not Ceralt,” came the reply of the male Nolthis, with amusement. “May I take her now?”
“Aye,” replied Galiose. “She will be sore from the lashing for some time, yet there is little reason for her not to learn what manner of man she is now the possession of. Phanisar would not have her worked overmuch till her back has begun to heal.”
“I shall see to it,” said Nolthis, and then were there hands by the leather at my wrists. The leather was removed from the metal, yet left upon me, and then was I pulled from the platform to my feet. There was some slight dizziness in such abrupt movement, as well as familiar pain, yet I gave sound to none of it. Straight did I stand before the grin of Nolthis, the leather to my wrists in his large hand, his eyes arove about me. Behind him, past the window, the tears of Mida continued to rage, yet was his laughter unaffected by it.
“I have wished possession of this wench since first I saw her,” said he to Galiose, his eyes unmoving from me. “See how her black eyes flash with hatred and challenge. Those long legs carry fire between them, those large, jutting breasts were made for a man’s teeth, that face was meant to be tear-covered, begging a man’s favor and mercy. So do I wish to see her, and so shall I see her become. It will not take long, Blessed One.”
Galiose made no answer, his broad face expressionless, his eyes seemingly lacking the pleasure he no doubt felt. The male Nolthis was his choice, willing to give that which Galiose would see me have, yet was Jalav no city slave woman. Jalav would be free of Nolthis, and gone from the Mida-forsaken city. No further did Nolthis speak, and with a bow for Galiose he pulled me from the room by my leather-bound wrists. Through the corridor to the steps was I taken, Nolthis’ stride forcing haste upon me, and then down the steps to the lowest level of Galiose’s dwelling. Upon this level, I knew, were the places of many males, the males of leather and metal bound to Galiose. To the left of the steps Nolthis went, and great was the amusement of those males we passed. With laughter they hailed Nolthis, remarking upon the sight of the wench hurrying in his wake, and to all he replied with a laugh that the wench hurried to her first proper bedding. The leather was knotted too tightly upon my wrists to allow me to free myself, and so was I taken by the male Nolthis to that place which was his.