The Leopard

Chapter 11

Naamah's Choice

When I woke the next morning, it took me a moment to recall that the woman sleeping in my arms was not Apolline. She was with the Khalif. Amitys was fast asleep, her head resting on my shoulder. I stroked her thick, black hair gently. My thoughts turned to the events of the previous night. Apolline had made Naamah's Choice and mayhap I had as well when I made love to Amitys with compassion. It seemed I still had more to learn about what it was to be Naamah's scion. I'd seen the vulnerabilities in her, the scars she bore from a life in bondage. My hand slid down to the slave collar she wore. I could probably pick the lock if I'd a mind to, but there were harsh penalties here for anyone who did such a thing.

I lifted my hand as Amitys began to stir. She blinked her dark eyes slowly and raised her head to look down at me. "Forgive me, my lord. I did not mean to be so familiar with you."

"Do not apologize. I quite enjoyed having you in my arms."

She moved off of me and settled herself on the pillows. "I did not know that lovemaking could be for a woman's pleasure as well."

"I'm glad I had the opportunity to show you," I said with a grin. It saddened me to think that she was not even aware that she could enjoy herself as much as a man could.

Somewhat suddenly dawned on me and I sat up with a start. "Pardon me for a moment, Amitys." I rushed into Apolline's room, not bothering to don my dressing gown or any other garments. It did not take long to find what I sought. Apolline kept the herbs she drank to keep from getting with child in a drawer on her bedside table. I'd nearly forgotten- it had been a long time since I'd bedded a woman who was not D'Angeline.

I walked back to my bedchamber. Amitys sat up in bed, watching me with curiosity. "Do you by any chance take herbs to prevent you from getting with child?"

"Yes, I do," she answered steadily. I felt her eyes on me, admiring my nude body. "We would not be pleasing to men if we were with child."

"Ah." I set the packet of herbs down on a table and breathed a sigh of relief. I had no intentions of getting children on anyone but Apolline and we'd decided years ago that we were quite happy with only Valère. That seen to, I turned my attention to dressing. Amitys continued to watch me, seemingly interested in my clothing. She did not move to don her own garb. I raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to dress or lie abed all day? You are welcome to stay there as long as you like."

"Thank you my lord, but I cannot stay here." She rose from the pillows and gathered her clothing, dressing quickly. When she was done, she turned to look at me before leaving the bedchamber. "I hope that I will be able to see you again."

I gave her a small smile. "That is my hope as well. Take care, Amitys." She bowed low and left.

I did not hear anyone moving about in the sitting room. I wondered if Apolline was still with the Khalif, breaking her fast with him. Opening the door, I saw the sitting room was empty of everyone except a pair of slaves by the door. "I'd like to break my fast now. Bring my meal up right away. We will only need enough for two today."

They bowed. "Yes, your grace." As soon as they left, Valère emerged from her room. "Good morning, Valère."

She sat on the divan across from mine. "Good morning, Father. I take it Mother is still with the Khalif?"

"So it would seem." If Apolline did not return, I would have to find some way to search the Khalif's quarters. In the meantime, I was glad to be breakfasting with Valère. She'd been spending all of her time with Apolline lately and not much time with me.

"How was the banquet last night?"

"Quite unpleasant for the most part. I needed a fair bit of wine to get through it, though the food was tasty." I reclined on the pillows.

She grinned at my words. "I can't say I blame you. I'd probably do the same thing, if they even allowed me to attend."

"There were no women present at all, save the dancing girls who came in at the end." She looked at me curiously and I knew I had to elaborate. "One of them kept me company last night. She was quite awed by me."

Valère gave a small laugh. "It seems you and Mother are both halfway to fulfilling your pact. Though I have to say she might succeed before you do." A sly smile formed on her lips.

I raised an eyebrow at that. "What exactly have you and your mother been doing during my attempts to better understand the Akkadian mind?"

"Just spending time with noblewomen. The same one who gave us the tour has a fascination with Mother. I think she may be interested."

I returned my daughter's smile. "Well, she's gotten further than I have with the men in that case." The slaves returned with our meal and we took ourselves to the dining room.

I poured myself some kavah and stirred in a spoon of sugar. The drink was growing on me. "I wonder if it would cause a terrible ruckus if we were to begin taking our rides together here."

Valère's face brightened at my suggestion. "I don't give a damn what they say about us taking rides together. Surely my own father would be a suitable escort." Valère and I have ridden together each morning since she was a tiny girl, sitting atop the pommel of my saddle.

"We should take a pair of guards with us, but to hell with any Akkadian escorts. I'd like to get to know this city on my own." I spooned honey into a bowl of the thick yogurt they were so fond of in Khebbel-im-Akkad.

"I'm glad, Father. I've missed our rides together."

"So have I."

After our meal was done, we made ready for our ride. We were just about to leave for the stables when Apolline entered the sitting room. I embraced her warmly and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "And how was the Khalif, my dear?"

"I'll tell you later. You and Valère are going for a ride?"

"Indeed we are. We will be back shortly." I kissed her again before leaving with Valère.

We left from the river gate, riding alongside the river. Valère had donned a riding costume and rode astride. If the Akkadians took issue with that, neither of us gave a damn. "I should like to see the other side of the city," Valère remarked, glancing across the river. "We did not go there on our tour."

"I don't think you are missing much. It seems to me that most places of note are on this side."

We continued down the river road for a time. It was not yet high noon and the relentless heat was not at its height. Numerous boats plied the river. Some were laden with goods, but others appeared to be pleasure boats. They were too far away for us to see the passengers clearly. Valère watched them with excitement in her eyes. It seemed the celebrations of Sennacherib's victory had not yet ended.

Leaving the river road, we turned into the temple district. The temple of Ishtar loomed before us and I recalled the conversation Adad-nari and I had in front of it. "The priestesses of Ishtar offer themselves to worshipers in service to her, just as Naamah's do."

"Yes, Ralamat mentioned that when she gave us our tour," said Valère, looking at the temple wistfully. "I wonder if they'd offer their services to women."

"I'd be happy to give you an escort of our men if you choose to find out." I grinned at her.

"I'm seriously considering doing so."

The rest of the ride passed without event and we returned to the palace. After a brief practice session and bath, I settled myself on one of the divans and spoke with Apolline. "Last night," I began, my voice soft, "do you wish to speak of it?"

"Why shouldn't I? He's just a lover like any other. He certainly wasn't better than you, that is true, but he was better than I expected. It seems Akkadian men are expected to be able to please their wives and concubines in bed." She smiled. "I learned they have their own erotic texts here. One is called the Perfumed Garden."

"The Perfumed Garden. We shall have to acquire a copy and see if they know anything of Naamah's Arts that we do not."

"In any case, the Khalif was well-satisfied with me. He said I was more skilled than the finest whore."

"I've always said you could match your skills against the finest adept of the Night Court," I replied with a wide grin. "I'm glad to hear he did not mistreat you. I was worried, you know." I gently laid a hand over hers.

"No, he did not mistreat me at all. I slept beside him when we were done and he had a fine meal brought up this morning," she elaborated.

"Well, I suppose it's my turn to share how I passed last night. There were dancing girls at the banquet and the Khalif informed me I could choose one to bed."

Apolline's sapphire eyes widened slightly. "And you did it?"

"Yes," I replied, thinking of Amitys's body swaying in time with the music. "I made certain that she consented to lie with me before going forward with it. She told me she never knew that women could enjoy lovemaking as much as men do."

Confusion dawned on Apolline's face. "The Khalif was certainly capable of pleasing a woman. Mayhap they only bother to make the effort with a wife or concubine."

"I believe you are right, my dear. A dancing girl is just there to be used in their way of thinking."

She sighed. "The Khalif said that he'd very much like to see me again."

The unfamiliar jealousy struck me again. "Will you accept his offer?"

"I've a mind to. Barquiel, you know I never do this sort of thing, but if I please him well enough in bed mayhap he will be more agreeable to your proposal of alliance."

That was quite a departure from Apolline's usual behavior. My eyes widened in surprise. In all the years we'd been married, I never knew her to bed anyone for political reasons. I never once thought to ask it of her, for I knew well her disdain for politics and the game of thrones. It had however occurred to me that the Khalif may give me his favor as a reward for my compliance. "You are bedding him for that reason, then. You don't have to do that, Apolline. You know I'd never ask it of you."

"The thought of bedding him to assist you in your mission just came to me this morning," she replied bluntly. "I will make Naamah's Choice again and again for you, my love, but I do desire him as well."

"Mayhap you can go through the entire Trois Milles Joies with him."

"Mayhap I will, and mayhap I'll get through it faster than I did with you." Her plump red lips curved into a smile.

"Unlikely. You'd have to spend all of your time in his bedchamber to do that and I'd rather not have you vanish into his hareem."

Apolline laughed at my remark. I meant it in jest, but a twinge of fear struck me. If the Khalif decided he wanted her for himself entirely, there wasn't much I could do.

The Khalif sent for her again that night, as expected. Just as the previous night, I received an invitation to a banquet in honor of Sennacherib's victory. Evidently it had not already been honored enough. I would've preferred to take my meal with Valère, but I daren't refuse.

This banquet turned out to be much like the first. I was seated in the same place, much to my dismay. I resolved to enjoy the meal as best I could, despite the distasteful company. "Is it customary to have so many celebrations for a victory?" I asked Uru-Kagina.

"This is nothing," he replied. "If we take an important city, the celebrations will put these to shame. The truest glory lies in conquest."

I wondered what lands the Akkadians thought to add to their glory next. "I see, but aren't you already the major power in this region? Who poses a threat?"

"Ephesium," he answered. "It may be said that we've a rivalry with it. I think there are many who'd prefer us to conquer it. There is also the Umaiyyat, but a band of tribes held loosely together is not enough to threaten us. They may harass our borders from time to time, but they can do little more than that."

I thought of the Skaldi. By all accounts the Umaiyyati were warriors as fierce as they were, but undisciplined. "But what of Qataba? It controls the spice trade. Wouldn't it be more useful to conquer it and control the frankincense trade yourself?"

"You make a good point, Duke Barquiel. Qataba is wealthy, yes, but close to Jebe-Barkal. They have close ties to the Jebeans, though they have them with us as well. They do not pose a threat, so his majesty allows them to remain unconquered," he explained. I made note of the information, for he was giving me good insight into the Khalif. There was a pause and he sighed before continuing. "It is a shame there are not many lands left for conquest. There is Bhodistan, but an army would have to cross the terrible mountains to get there. We Akkadians are not used to such things. Conquest is good for us. It adds to our empire and keeps those who would rise against us subdued and fearful."

"Are you referring to the Persians, Uru-Kagina?" There was not a great deal of information on them in the Royal Library. I'd had to resort to the writings of the ancient Hellenes and the campaigns of Al-Iskandr the Great to acquire some knowledge of the Persians. This proved to be rather lacking.

"Yes," he said. "It is well-known that they chafe under our rule. Eighteen years ago, the province of Drujan rose against us. We crushed it easily, but if all of Persis did the same there is a chance they might defeat us. We have no intention of ever allowing that."

I sampled a roast partridge sprinkled with vinegar and rubbed with salt and crushed mint. It was not as spicy as the other dishes, which was a pleasant surprise. "I understand you wanted to serve the Persians the same as they served you when they conquered Babylon under Kurosh the Great. But all that I have read of Kurosh, even in Hellene texts, indicates that he spared Babylon and did not sack the city."

"Kurosh the Great stole our mighty cities, the jewels of our civilization! Our people were driven into the Umaiyyat! Why would we show the Persians any kindness after that?" Uru-Kagina's face was flushed and some of the men seated around us stopped to stare briefly.

"My apologies if I have caused any offense, Lord Uru-Kagina. I am a stranger here and I spoke out of a desire to learn the ways of your people," I said genially.

"Of course," Uru-Kagina replied. "That is to be expected."

The rest of the meal was uneventful after our conversation moved away from Persis. The dancing girls appeared with the dessert, this time clad in naught but thongs and jingling bells. I thought once more of Jasmine House, and smiled. Amitys was there again. My eyes went to her and I ignored all the others. The sight of her full breasts, nipples darkened with henna, inflamed my lust. When the dance was over, I beckoned to her with no hesitation.

Notes

The Perfumed Garden- a real Middle Eastern sex manual. It comes from a much later period than ancient Mesopotamia, but I thought I'd put it in there anyway. They did indeed have erotic literature in ancient Mesopotamia.

Qataba- Southern Arabian peninsula, modern-day Yemen & Oman. In ancient times the kingdoms there were very wealthy because of their chief export, frankincense. They aren't named in the Kushielverse so I gave them a name.

Kurosh the Great- Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian empire, conqueror of Babylon