The Ways of a Woman
Chapter One
Beauty in the flesh will continue to rule the world. ~ Florenz Ziegfeld
The floor was scattered with various pillows and plush rugs, allowing comfortable seating in the Calormen meeting room. Edmund and Lucy sat rather rigidly, knowing that they were not fully welcomed in the sandy kingdom, especially by the new ruler.
He was a robust, young man with a pudgy face and a pockmarked complexion. He was shorter than average, perhaps only a little over 5'6'', and at the young age of 27 he was prematurely balding. His face glistened with a mixture of sweat and oils and was bare of all hair, whether from shaving or lack of luck, one couldn't tell. He was not fit to be a ruler; he had only come into power as a result of a recent unfortunate string of death throughout his family.
Nevertheless, the young king and queen from Narnia recognized that they needed to be in good favor with Calormen; it was a wealthy and powerful nation. Even lead by this unfit ruler, they could be a formidable enemy.
"It was quite a stroke of luck, you know." He said through sloppy bites of bread dipped in flavored oils. Edmund and Lucy politely declined offerings from various well-endowed and beautiful servants, no doubt new additions to the palace. The short man was enjoying his new wealth, surrounding himself with beautiful slave women and rich foods, and had so far made no moves to further his nation.
"Was it now?" Edmund restrained the sarcasm in his tone, eying the chained leopard to the right of the Calormen Tisroc warily. It paced about, restlessly eying the two newcomers. They had left their guard outside of the meeting hall as a gesture of good faith.
"Indeed, your highness. My brothers were so abrasive; you wouldn't have liked them much anyhow." He beamed towards them, beady eyes addressing Lucy rather unceremoniously.
"Yes, well, I would love to continue this later, but I'm afraid that now we have more pressing matters to attend to." Edmund interrupted him, knowing that it was vital to secure the new truce as soon as possible. He eyed the dozen or so women draped around the man, scantily clad in harem outfits, and expected him to dismiss them, but he made no move to do so.
"Oh, let's please not speak of such dreadful things as politics until after dinner. They bore me so." He droned, pulling one of the numerous blondes towards him with a playful wink, and she humored him with a forced giggle. "Besides, I have something far more interesting to show you. My prize."
Lucy watched the cherub-like man light up as the women behind him half-heartedly disguised their scoffs and scorn, looking to each other with narrowed, agreeing eyes. She could only assume that it was a woman.
Tisroc Ali, the Calormen, motioned towards the two guards with scimitars that stood at attention next to the doors, and one ducked out momentarily. There was a silent minute as Lucy and Edmund exchanged puzzled glances, until a loud cry was heard. The man entered again, rubbing his cheek. As he dropped his hand, Edmund raised his eyes at the fresh scratch marks.
"She does not wish to come, your majesty."
"Preposterous! Bring her to me." The man bowed out, and Lucy again observed the women roll their eyes. Tisroc Ali shrugged off their attempts to regain his attention, and they dispersed to sit on the outer edges of the room, throwing flirtatious glances towards the much more handsome King Edmund.
After what seemed like hours, but was in reality mere minutes, the doors were flung open and Ali stood from his seat, Lucy and Edmund following in suit. The same guard strode in, scowling and pulling a thick gold chain rather roughly. A woman came after him, staggering slightly, also scowling.
Edmund and Lucy's eyes widened simultaneously as they took in the new arrival. She was beautiful, more beautiful than most, and her disgust was evident as she first glimpsed King Ali. She hid it quickly, light brown, almost golden, eyes warming falsely. Her skin was tanned to a dark, caramel brown, and her locks were only a few shades darker. Her lips were pulled up at the corners, plump and orangey-pink, and she wore a coral harem outfit. Golden feathers were laced into her curly ponytail, catching the light as she was shoved further into the room. She had a strong, proud nose, making her look regal, and she moved through the room with cat-like grace and determination.
She made her way straight to Ali, and smiled graciously as he was handed the end of the gold chain attached to her shackles. The women glared at the beauty openly, and the leopard paced even more feverishly, letting out a low growl at the rising tension in the room.
"My liege." She purred, her voice low and obviously practiced. His smile grew, and he licked his lips as she placed a hand on his arm.
Edmund was utterly flabbergasted at the beautiful woman. She was ornately decorated in jewels and gold, so much so that she practically jingled when she walked. To him, it seemed as if she were more of a decoration than a person. The coal that had been drawn around her eyes accentuated their light coloring, and as they fell on him, he swallowed thickly.
"You have guests." She announced, as if just noticing them.
"Indeed. This is King Edmund and Queen Lucy of Narnia, they will be joining us for dinner."
"Actually, your highness, we can only stay but a-."
"It is a pleasure to meet you both. Dinner sounds lovely." The woman cut Lucy off, curtsying, but making no move towards them.
"Serve us our drinks, Camilla." Tisroc Ali ordered, resuming his seat but keeping a firm grip on the chain. The woman, Camilla, looked at him for a moment before turning towards where a table was being placed with pitchers on it, just behind the pacing feline. She was not fazed when she passed by the cat, who sat, flicking its tail at her and growling lowly. She simply stepped around it, narrowing her eyes at the women who glared openly at her.
"She was caught on the outskirts of the city. A vagrant." The Tisroc leaned towards Edmund and Lucy who had resumed their seats, and he smiled, as if sharing a joke. "She's quite the handful. But don't worry; I'll break her in good time."
Lucy's lip twitched lightly in disgust, pulling back from his awful breath, reminding her much of rancid meat. This woman was beautiful, but there was an off-placed insincerity in her, and it made Lucy uneasy.
Edmund ignored the Calormens ranting, watching the beautiful woman as she poured the drinks into the goblets. She was doing so with slow movements, and he watched as she tested the limits of the cuffs around her ankles. He could not see her face, but she would tense every time she reached the edge of their constraint, and when she kicked her leg forward sharply, Ali ended his sentence and looked toward her quickly.
"Is everything suitable, Camilla?" He asked, narrowing his eyes warily. She turned, doe-eyed and innocent looking.
"Perfectly, my lord."
Ali made another motion towards the guard with fresh scratch marks on his face, and he nodded, slowly making his way to the table, standing at attention and watching her carefully. She sneered at him, turning around and making her way back with the drinks. Edmund lurched when the leopard let out a snarl, batting at her leg with a large forepaw. Camilla didn't waver, but raised an eyebrow at the Narnian king.
"All is well, your highness, he is simply playing." She showed him the unscathed leg, and he nodded awkwardly, aware of his sisters' eyes on him.
"She has quite a way with felines, this one." He tugged on the chain, causing her to lurch forward, almost loosing balance and spilling the drinks.
"This is all very well, your highness." Lucy said carefully as she accepted the drink. "However, I must implore that we negotiate the treaty as soon as possible, Edmund and I must return to Narnia."
"Oh, very well." Ali waved Camilla away, and she retreated with a relieved look on her face, taking her seat on a large black cushion just out of the leopards reach. The cat came to sit at the end of its chain, as close to her as possible, often reaching out a paw towards the cushion in an attempt to pull it closer, eyes determined. Camilla gradually moved her seat farther away from the pesky feline.
As Lucy laid out the treaty, Edmund chanced another look towards Camilla, and found her gaze trained on him. He felt his skin grow hot, and averted his gaze quickly. After a moment, he looked back to find her smiling wickedly. Her eyes remained on his dark ones, and she took a deep draught from her goblet, raising her nose haughtily, in a taunting way. Despite himself, he smiled slightly at her flirtatiousness.
"Edmund." His sisters' terse voice brought him back to the negotiation, and he met Tisroc Ali's blank, unintelligent gaze. "If you're quite through, please explain our assurance of peace to Tisroc Ali."
"Yes, of course." He cleared his throat, trying to remember what it was he was supposed to say. "In order to officially seal this agreement, Narnia will hold a tournament in one months' time. A celebration of sorts, showcasing each nations most skilled fighters."
"And I suppose you wish something of me, your highnesses?" Ali sighed, rubbing his generous belly and eying them hazily. His gaze made its way around the room, falling on numerous objects for only a moment's time.
"We ask nothing of you, your highness, only your agreement." Lucy replied diplomatically, folding her hands in her lap.
"That simply will not do, I will not be thought of as a common mooch." He cast his eyes about the room in a curious fashion, pausing ever now and then to look at a plush rug or a large chest. "You are sure it is not possible for you to stay for dinner?" His eyes were glistening frantically, as if he found it unbearable to part with any of his worldly possessions.
"Terribly sorry, your highness." Lucy replied, and the man furrowed his brows, looking around yet again.
"You may have one of my servants, any you choose. I can assure you that they will attend to any of your needs." Ali exclaimed after a moment, grin stretching at what he thought was a brilliant idea. The various women behind him giggled airily, and Edmund and Lucy exchanged an uncertain glance with each other.
"We do not partake in the trafficking of human flesh." Edmund softened his tone, but narrowed his eyes.
"Nonsense, your highness, take your pick!" Ali came to the right of Left of Edmund and Lucy, both of whom were now standing uncomfortably. "Choose what your heart desires, King Edmund." The last part was murmured softly, and Edmunds eyes flickered unconsciously to Camilla, who was now glaring at the leopard as it growled softly in frustration.
Ali followed the dark kings' eyes, and Lucy, confused with the whole exchange, followed Ali's. The woman remained oblivious to all the eyes set upon her, playing with a trinket that adorned her wrist.
"Ed, this is wrong." Lucy whispered uncertainly, noticing Ali's stiffening demeanor. "No good can come of this." Edmund looked to Lucy and nodded slowly in understanding, about to turn and reject the offer when Ali spoke abruptly.
"Very well, King Edmund, you want her, and you shall have her." There was an edge to his voice, and he glared at Edmund as he opened his mouth. "But know this; she is a thief and a sinner. Do not let her fool you; she is a common slave and no more. She will try to manipulate you, to deceive you, and because of this you must treat her as you would a prisoner of war. Give her no leeway, no freedom."
Edmund found the warning a bit melodramatic, and arched his eyebrow. Lucy set her jaw and looked to Edmund in an unhappy manner. With a jerk of her chain, Camilla glanced towards the three royals, and then rose to make her way over to them.
"I expect to find my warning heeded, King Edmund. In a months' time, I will come to the tournament, and I expect to find no more than a chambermaid made out of her. Your inability to follow these warnings will result in definite termination of our peace agreement."