Ten
Torches were lit at a modest set of doors that did not share the grandiosity of the main entrance. Moonlight cast its pale shadow across the marble plinths and pillars, statues of fine women bearing their breasts and covering the space between their legs.
On the climb to the house, Sin saw the wild growing jasmine whose scent had punctuated her time in the villa, she reached a hand through the gilded bars and felt the petals graze her fingertips. The other slaves glared at her but did not speak a word.
The House was shrouded in beauty and mystery of the night. The grounds that she could see were immaculately kept for no blade of grass grew above a certain height and no creeping vine reach further than another. The precision of her surroundings, the calculated beauty surpassed the quaintness of the villa.
The carriage came to a smooth halt, for Danüs was a talented driver. The doors to their gilded cage opened and she was the first to step out just as she had been the last to climb in. The sound of distant music assailed her ears as her bare feet touched the dry earth.
The magnitude of the house was hard for her to comprehend for she had seen no other of its likeness it reached high off the ground, counting five dark windows from its foundation, and a pale spire tower emerged from the centre she remembered seeing it as a child from the wheat fields.
A house fit for earth prowling gods, she thought.
Danüs stood at her shoulder, his breath hot on her ear, his fingers wrapping around her upper arm, his fingertips sharp and biting into her flesh. "It is a shame I will no longer be able to score this sweet skin."
Sin shivered her eyes fleeing to seek out Verain who had started the journey with them but that had been many hours ago now.
"Ah, steward, we were expecting your arrival on the eighth hour." A lightly accented voice interrupted and Sin released a relived breath. Danüs released her and turned to face a plump woman of middling years dressed in a sober black dress, her bright red hair tied back severely from her face.
"The road is in much disrepair, Maistresse." Danüs bowed his head. "The cart is cumbersome."
"My Lord Lucerne does not like excuses."
"And have the festivities begun?"
"Yes, as well you know."
"You will forgive me, won't you, Maistresse?"
The woman's peeved expression softened her once ruddy features turned smooth with a hint of humour about her mouth. "Away with you Danüs. Are these all my new girls?"
"Lady Damiana's lot was presented this morning before you were out of bed, my dove." He smoothed back an errant lock of her hair. "These are for the Lady and this one for the Lord himself." He jerked his chin toward Sin.
Dolly's eyes moved over Sin with clinical disdain. "She's older than what he usually likes."
"Somewhat a mystery to us all." Danüs smiled darkly and then turned to close and lock the cage.
Sin had never before considered herself old, she was somewhat about sixteen.
She watched Danüs climb back on the cart and direct the horses masterfully; he took them further into the darkness beyond the reach of torch light. She felt a prickle of fear, and goosebumps alighted her arms. There are worse things than death. The words rattled in her ears.
"Now my dears." Dolly said appraising the shivering girls with the same expression as she had Sin. "I am Maistresse Dolly the Chief Chamberlain of this House. You will take your orders from me and my staff. I do not tolerate dissent or laziness and nor do the Lords and Ladies of this House. You must spend the remainder of your lives being a credit to your tutors and to me. Failure to do so will result in a girl being given over to the Hounds."
"There will be no talking, save for the instructions I give and messages I may pass through you and of course at the Lords and Ladies' leisure. You will be expected to bathe twice a day and keep your clothes clean to be in any other state would disrespect this House."
She directed the girls with gestures of her hands to form an orderly queue. "Once you step into this House you must forget any notion of who you were before."
When Sin stepped through the small wooden doorway she expected to feel a thrill of magic sweep over her skin but all she felt was the warm air spiced by candle smoke and cool feel of the stone floor beneath her feet. Maistresse Dolly led them into a dimly lit room filled with benches and tables, only three candles were lit in the sconces that edged the room.
"This is where we convene for meals and discussions. You will notice that we do not keep a hearth in this room for it is not thought necessary by the Maegesters. There will be no complaint about the cold nor the heat, you must bear all matter of discomfort with closed lips."
She led them onwards through a dark and narrow passage, the girls stretched out their hands to feel their way along, disoriented by the darkness and unfamiliar way. "You will find that this castle is marked by such passageways, it is what allows the slaves and such to move discreetly about the place, each of you will learn the slave ways and you will not require a light." Her voice was narrow, echoing oddly in the dark. "Each Lord and Lady has a symbol by which their chambers may be identified…"
Maistresse Dolly struck a match and lit a candle and the dull light was harsh to their unaccustomed eyes, they squinted and followed unevenly into a room that had twelve modestly dressed bunks. "This will be your dormitory, for now. If your Lords and Ladies are pleased with you they may need you to be quartered in private rooms."
She walked to the far end of the room, her ruddy features haloed in candle light. "Through this door is a bathing chamber, you will be given fresh water morning and night."
The girls looked around the room, marking their bunks with shared looks and nods. Sin's eyes didn't leave Dolly who was still scrutinising them.
"Now you have not been oiled and fragranced for nothing." She placed the candle of a shelf and walked back toward the door, the girls dispersing quickly to let her pass.
"You will be shown to lady Linnea." She turned to Sin. "And you to lord Lucerne."
"You have come upon this House on a special occasion, for Lux - being the adopted son of late Lord Lauren - has returned home." Her lips formed a fond smile and when she realised it herself she corrected her expression. "There will be feasts for three days in his honour and you all will be expected to serve the Lords and Ladies as part of your introduction."
Sin's mouth went dry. She feared what she would see, demonic creatures ecstatic with revelry, reddened with wine and suckling on meat, tearing flesh from bones. She feared for her life and those six words rattled in her ears there are worse things than death.
"Come now we will have you properly attired for the festivities and then we will provide you with platters and jugs and onward to meet your destinies."
Pearl was drunk; she could feel the heat in her cheeks, the edges of the room spun faster and faster. She laughed with unabashed pleasure and twirled until her skirts began to sing, catching the light and making her gleam like a comely nymph.
Verain stood dutifully nearby, his features dazzling in her vision; he was so lovely that he too brought colour to her cheeks.
The Lords and Ladies would be scandalised if they knew she followed him into the forests, she bared her breasts to him and allowed him to lay his lips against her. She shivered at the memory of it and laughed.
It had been easy to seduce him, to push the sliver of Power between the soft tissues of his mind to obey her.
Verain caught Lucerne's eye and with a discreet nod he moved away from Pearl.
Pearl stopped to catch Lucerne's eye, she took pleasure in the brief spark of jealousy that crossed her husband's face.
She was conscious of the Lords and Ladies, some more than twice her age, disliking her. They were all jealous of her beauty and youth, of course. Pearl could fathom no other cause for it. So she ignored their glares, avoided their whispers and took pleasure in the small things, the full bodied draught in her cup, the warmth of the hall and the melody that rose faster than the beat of her heart.
Her pet was collapsed at her feet, it did not carry the jewels Pearl had bestowed on it well and Pearl liked her possessions to shine. Her pet looked tired and with one cruel yank she brought it to attention, to its credit, it was a far more obedient slave than the last.
She led it gently now, circling the room to observe. The tall, slender form of Lord Domitian caught her eye and she took time to appreciate his visage, the strength in his limbs.
Domitian's eyes were on Linnea but Pearl had it in mind to divert his attention to her alone. With alcohol fuelled bravery she sidled up to him with an irresistible smile. "Your cup is empty, my Lord." She gently touched his hand and pushed her cup into the other. "Share mine."
Domitian's gaze raked slowly over her and his expression became dark, he bent his head down close enough to kiss, his breath shivered against her mouth and she was trembling with anticipation. He did not kiss her, instead he spoke. "Run along little girl and play with your dolls, the adults are talking." He pulled away from her and she was left rocking on her feet.
Her cheeks coloured with something other than wine and blushes and she stalked away from him whilst he turned and resumed his conversation with another Lord, together they dissolved into a rumble of laughter. Pearls wished to escape the echo of it, someone grasped her elbow and she flinched.
"Hello, my Lady." Lux expression was affable and she stared up at him in wonder. She was suspicious of him, as Lucerne's wife she could not be seen to be friendly with Lux who was as close to an enemy as one could get. The echo of Lucerne's warning to stay away from him ebbed quickly away as Lux smiled.
"My Lord." She inclined her head but the room spun and the floor suddenly came up only Lux's grip on her arm prevented her greeting of it.
"Too much to drink?"
She gritted her teeth against the shame and his tone which was lightly teasing.
"It is a lovely celebration and the wine is good." He raised a cup; she was enrapt by it, encrusted with rubies and embossed gold leaf filigree. "It has been a long time since I've had such a fine vintage."
From the corner of her eye she saw Lucerne staring at her, with a forced smile she lay her small pale hand on Lux's sleeve and laughed louder than was proper. "Do go on." She said.
Lux's eyes were like cumulonimbus clouds, his mouth curved in a smile that showed the tip of his sharp teeth. "We're both from the mainland, Pearl, may I call you Pearl? It must be hard for you here. You don't know the ways of Elysion and Lucerne is a harsh master."
"I don't know what you mean." She said, her smile frozen in place.
He brushed his knuckles lightly against the underside of her jaw and her breath released in one steady puff. "I feel sorry for you." He said in a whisper. "Perhaps you will need a friend in these times and I can be a very good friend, Pearl."
The room started to receded and she was lost in the scope of his eyes that had gone as hard and metallic as silver, and Lucerne was forgotten.
The scent of Lux overwhelmed her, the warmth he emitted as surely as Lucerne emitted ice. Trapped beneath his gaze she thought she knew why Lauren had preferred his adopted son over his own flesh and blood. Pearl could not deny the thrill of attraction; she couldn't help but imagine being loved by a Lamia like Lux.
Regret surged through her being, if only she hadn't married Lucerne…
Linnea appeared between them and the spell broke. "My Lady." Her voice was as sharp as a blade cutting through Pearl's daze. Linnea gave a limp curtsey as all the women were meant to show Pearl deference as she was the Lady of Elysion, but the gesture was hollow.
Pearl summoned her best glare and tried to wilt Linnea but Linnea was made of the same ice as her brother and would not balk. "I need more wine." Pearl said and held out her cup which was instantly filled by a slave.
"May I talk with you in private?" Linnea murmured to Lux. There seemed to be something unspoken between them and whilst Pearl was distracted by her cup the two left quietly together.
Pearl drank deep, not caring if she had passed the point of propriety. She thought with her wine addled mind that she would have Lux in that way just as she would have Verain and Domitian and another man she pleased. She would be loved by all the men of Elysion, she would be worshipped as thoroughly as the goddess of the isle and they would be devoted to her.
If Lucerne could not love her then they all would. She cast her rheumy gaze around the hall and spied Verain, she made a bee line toward him, tugging her pet along, she would begin with the Hound and the thought of disobeying Lucerne warmed her to the bone.
Sin carried the large jug of wine as she had been taught at the Villa. The clay jugs used in the villa were far smaller than the one she held. She struggled to keep the girth of it in her arm, her fingertips crooking into it to keep her hold firm. She trembled slightly with the effort but she had been trained to be strong and keep such discomfort from her expression.
All the girls had been dressed in red, much like those worn in the villa but the material was of a better quality giving an ethereal quality to their movements. The dresses presented as much flesh as possible without exposing their breasts and the fur between the legs.
Sin stood at the back of the queue of girls she had come to the House with, none had exchanged words but the shared trepidation bound them as close as sisters. They were led by Maistresse Dolly down an intricate path as disorienting as their first foray, they relied on the touch of one another's skirts or the brushing of hands to keep their pace.
The music grew louder and so did the warmth, there was a jaunty melody that Sin found to be infectious but then she heard the low rumble of voices and she was afraid again.
The Maistresse pushed open a door and light, sound and smell rained upon them. It provoked their appetites but they had to ignore it as they were soon, one by one lead out into a hall of such great proportion and splendid decoration that their fear gave way to wonder.
Sin's eyes irresistibly flew to the chiffon drapes and brilliant bright threads of tapestries; landscapes unfolded that spoke of other lands beyond Elysion and had the gossamer edge of the celestial. The ceiling was high and each beam was carved with the faces of nymphs and filigree.
There was a large hearth with a roaring fire and above it a mantle with a bear's head mounted high above it. Large plinths bearing statuettes and busts of official looking men, eyes made of marble stared deeply but reflected nothing. There were tables spread with a bounty of food such as Sin had never seen: the juicy meats and fruits and exotic others collected together in a riot of colour and scent.
Then she saw the Lords and Ladies of Elysion and her mouth went dry, her grip on the jug relinquished and she felt it drop, her eyes watching it descend as if in slow motion. Her mouth opened and she drew a breath and her eyes closed awaiting the great crack but it did not come.
She opened her eyes to find Verain holding the jug by its handle.
"Verain." Dolly was by his side in an instant. "She is new to-"
"Pay it no mind, Maistresse." Verain murmured and offered the jug for Sin to take. "It is quite a sight, is it not?" He addressed Sin directly and she blushed, her eyes dropping to the tips of his boots, falling into the standing position.
"Take the jug." Maistresse Dolly hissed.
Sin reached out and Verain eased its weight into her arms, leaning close to her to whisper. "Careful."
Verain walked away, the other girls had their eyes obediently to the ground, having taken little of the grandeur in for fear of what they would see and for fear of Maistresse Dolly's displeasure.
"Go forth and serve the Lords and Ladies." Dolly said but gripped Sin's arm and squeezed tight hissing from between her clenched teeth. "Do that again and you will be given to the Hounds this very night."
Sin nodded discreetly and walked slowly, her heart was already beating furiously, her mind raced. Verain was here in this very room. The breath-taking sight of the Lords and Ladies paled in comparison to this. Her feet luxuriated in the feel of the floor which was both cool and smooth; she set about the perimeter of the room half veiled by the chiffon and muslin cloth curtains.
Someone thrust a silver cup beneath her nose. "Fill it." The voice was cold and precise; she lifted her jug with a little difficulty and poured the thick wine up to the brim.
The Lord moved away and she was once more permitted to walk.
She tried as far as she dared to spy Verain from the corners of her eyes but she could not distinguish one man from another without being able to lift her chin.
She served and served until her jug was near empty which put an ease on her arms for which she was grateful. She listened to the Lords and Ladies with the strange inflection in their accents congratulate one another and praise one another and laugh heartily. The music remained upbeat and hypnotic.
Perhaps it was their beauty, all pale and beautifully sculpted features, the gleam of their attire or jewels they did seem a different species to Sin. Creatures of great gaiety and mystery. Their voices were like music too. And for a time it was a pleasant thing to be in the company of deities.
The slaves moved back and forth, the new ones marked by a more reticent step and the red dresses; eager to please the Lords and Ladies who paid them all little mind.
"More wine." A voice Sin recognised, she lifted her jug to pour into a golden chalice held by the elegant hand of the lady Pearl herself. Sin saw a flash of cheek coloured with too much wine.
Beside Pearl, Sin was painfully aware of Verain. Of course she would find him by the Lady's side, it provoked her jealousy and she clumsily spilled the last of her wine over Pearl's hand. Pearl gave an indignant scream. "You idiot." She flung a hand out to strike Sin but Verain caught her hand and lifted it to his mouth, drinking the spilt wine from the Lady's pale hand.
Pearl blushed prettily and Sin fell into a kneeling position glad to turn her gaze away from them both.
"Let's not spoil tonight because of a little clumsiness." Verain murmured to her. "It is a good night and we shall remain intent on keeping it so."
Sin shuddered at the thought of them together, too easily imagined because the vision of them was often in her dreams. She remained kneeling for some time and exhaustion set deep into her bones and she closed her eyes for a moment longer than she ought to.
"You are positively giddy, Pearl." It was Lucerne's voice.
"Your feasts are most enjoyable." She replied with a seething edge of bitterness.
"And the wine too, I see."
Pearl made an indignant sound and threw the chalice to the ground it rolled toward Sin and she heard rather than saw Pearl march away, her dainty slippers slapping on the ground with no illusion of elegance now.
"Give me the cup." Lucerne said with cool authority.
Sin grasped the cup which was deceptively heavy; she stood to pass it to his hand, and they eyes met. He regarded her with a curious expression, their finger brushed, his skin was icy cold against her own and she gasped. "I see." He said, eyes not for a moment leaving hers.
His eyes were the fathomless depths of the ocean, so deep they were black but in another instant blue. Squalls rolled through the landscape of his gaze betraying nothing but the great force of will and authority he held over Elysion. Sin was captured by the swarthy depths of them, frightened by the crushing weight of them. He was Dis incarnate, though the beauty of his face spoke of Apollis.
"Ah, Lucerne." A tall, dark figure outside of Sin's vision appeared to clap Lucerne heartily on the back and Lucerne allowed himself to be guided away.
Sin watched him move, the shadow of his presence receded allowing her to breathe once again but her eyes found Verain who was staring at her from a distance, his eyes as bright as treasures.
She looked away, afraid to betray herself, but instead saw the haunted face of her little sister. Sorrow. She gasped, a hand flying to her mouth to still the trembling of her lips and tongue. Sorrow stared at her brazenly; she was on hands and knees completely nude save for the bejewelled leash at her throat. Tears filled Sin's eyes but did not fall.
Someone grasped Sin's shoulder and she jumped. Maistresse Dolly was at her side. "Take the jug back to the kitchen."
In their walk to the feast Dolly had explained how to find the way to the kitchens which were a series of interconnecting rooms, the place of which she mentioned was reserved for the bottling and serving of drink. Sin nodded to show she understood and went in search of the door to the slave path.
She stepped into the cool darkness of the corridoor and released a shaky breath.
"Careful." A voice sprang from the dark and she dropped the jug to the ground but it was already held low so did not crack as she feared it might. She spun round, her back against the bricks, she tried and failed to see who it was that loomed over her.
"Didn't I warn you before?" It was Verain, she recognised his voice then as she knew her own breath.
He continued to lean over her, his arms braced on either side of her head and she could feel the heat of his breath on her face and taste the spice of the wine he had consumed. "To be careful."
"I'm s-sorry." She stammered barely aware of what she was saying, too entranced by his proximity.
"For what?" He asked his mouth hovering over hers.
She was overcome by longing, willing him to kiss her, to touch her, to consume her. Frightened and dazed she feared being discovered and her fear made her bold for but a moment. "Shouldn't you be attending your Lady?" Her voice came out harsher than she intended.
Verain withdrew his hands and made a hiss deep in his throat. He suddenly thrust his face so close she feared he would harm her. "Go to your task, slave." He growled and he suddenly disappeared leaving her swaying on her feet.
Bereft of his presence she dazedly picked up her jug and walked a zig zag path through the darkness.
Sin was kneeling, the jug by her side for she was unable to carry it further. She felt her eyes drift closed, her head dip as she passed into a tentative sleep.
As the morning came on the lords and ladies retired. Sin was one of several new slaves who were kneeling unobtrusively about the perimeter of the hall. The music had softened to a melodic lull and it had helped to lead Sin to surrender to her exhaustion.
Her limbs ached deeply from roaming and pouring, careful not to spill, each tip of her jug made her hold her breath and bite her tongue trying ever so hard to be careful.
She did not see Verain or Sorrow again. Instead she had time to study in sly glances, the faces of the Lords and Ladies and each face was worthy of devotion. Each wore the face of her own gods, the twinkling eye of Doric the god of wheat and grain, the luscious lips of Dion the god of revelry.
How could she have ever feared them? She had prayed to them since her lips had been able to form words. They walked in grace and beauty, their mirth the simple kind that even slaves could express. The longer she spent amongst them, amongst the perfume and melody of their spells she was lured into a false sense of warmth and safety.
Steeped in an embryonic sense of safety she allowed herself to slip into sleep...
Cold fingertips gripped her chin and forced her head up. Her eyes opened but unfocused she tumbled onto hands and knees with only the grip on her face keeping her head still. "Shall I be kind? What think you?" Lucerne glared down at her. "I am your lord and Maegester and yet you do not assemble as you should."
"Forgive me." She said in a breathy whisper as she struggled to maintain her balance beneath his grip.
"I have killed a calf for lesser things."
He released her and she gathered her shaky limbs into the kneeling position, careful to gather her long hair in a single twist and drape over one shoulder to bear the right side of her body.
"Maistresse Dolly." Lucerne called and the woman appeared on his command. "Is this it?"
"Yes, my lord." Dolly said, her voice quavering with dread.
"The late arrival of this bounty was not unnoticed."
"Apologies, my lord but I was told the journey to the House was made difficult by disrepair in the slave roads."
Lucerne cast a cold glare on her. "Do you mean to say that my House is in disrepair?"
"No, my Lord."
"I am disappointed in you, Dolly."
Dolly flushed, her features turned crimson with shame and fear.
"I will see this one in my chambers at nightfall." Lucerne said taking a lock of Sin's hair, sniffing the perfume and agitating the pearls tangled in the strands. The tug on her scalp made her shiver and another shaky breath passed her lips. "Promptly, Dolly."
"Yes, my Lord."
Updated 01/04/2012
Miss S