CAPTIVE AND CAPTIVATED

Chapter 6


When she was brought to the Slave Hall, she was given a long bath. The tub was filled with rose-colored, scented water. Her Page took his time with her, combing out her long hair and sponging her skin. She sat placidly in the tub, staring ahead at nothing in particular. She could hear the soft sighs and crying noises from a few of the slaves around her. When she broke from her daze, she took to studying the rest of them. A few had moist faces, with eyes red-rimmed from crying. But many more seemed to be at peace with their surroundings. A young male slave was lying back in his tub, allowing his Page to wash his legs. His eyes were closed, and Umi soon realized that the slave had fallen asleep that way. The girl closest to Umi had long, curly, pale hair. She was whispering quietly to her groom, looking about at the other slaves with a peaceful look on her face. She was rounder than Umi, with wider hips and a much fuller bosom. Her face was heart-shaped, like Hikaru's, but her eyes were a brilliant violet color, and when she met Umi's gaze for a brief moment, she smiled and looked away. Yes, she was a beautiful girl. Umi looked back at the sleeping boy and studied his face, realizing that he, too, was very good-looking. Extraordinarily so, in fact. Every face in the room was beautiful; no ugly or plain slaves were to be seen.

Well naturally, she thought. What would anyone do with a homely pleasure slave?

When Umi turned to scan the rest of the room, she nearly jumped up in shock when she saw that the blonde girl, Fuu, was seated in the tub right next to her. Her hair was being combed by her own Page. Umi sat up a little straighter. She hadn't seen the other two in days. She studied Fuu's face for signs of abuse. There were none. If anything, Fuu only looked a little tired. Umi found herself coloring a little. What have she and that Prince of hers been up to?

Fuu's eyes were closed. She seemed to be relaxing into her Page's ministrations. Umi debated on whether or not to whisper to her. After a moment, she realized Fuu was naked as well. She hadn't even noticed. It was as if she was blind to all the nudity, what with the dozens of naked slaves surrounding her. Umi had the decency to blush and look away, but not before getting a good look at Fuu. She was almost a little jealous. Fuu was naturally curvier than either she or Hikaru, with fuller breasts. She looked more… womanly in general. Her hair was like fine-spun gold. Umi tried hard to remember but find she couldn't identify what color Fuu's eyes were. Not until she opened them, at least. Well. It was no wonder the Prince himself had chosen Fuu. She was gorgeous.

"Fuu," she whispered. Her Page tugged gently on her hair and gave her a stern look. But she leaned over anyway and looked at Fuu. The blonde had opened her eyes now and looked equally shocked to see that she'd been sitting right next to her Earth friend for nearly ten minutes. They couldn't speak to one another, but their eyes mirrored the same sentiment. We are trapped.

"Umi?" Fuu mouthed.

The bluette nodded.

Fuu moved her lips again. "Show," was what she said.

Umi gave the slightest of nods. "Banquet."

Fuu nodded and sighed, leaning back against her Page. Her face was lined with fatigue. Umi decided to attempt to speak to Fuu later, when they were away from their masters. She looked around the room again, hoping to spot the red haired girl. There was no sign of her yet, but surely she'd be brought in soon if all three of them were to be… featured as spectacles at this horrid banquet.

Later, Umi was pulled out of the tub and dried roughly. Her hair was slicked back into a low ponytail spilled over one shoulder. Fuu's Page had left her hair down. His patient brushing had left it smooth and straight, rather than wavy, and it flowed down her back. Soon afterward, they were rubbed down with a sweet-smelling oil that illuminated their flesh in subtle gold tones. When they were led out of the room, Fuu protested.

"Wait, no! Surely you mean to dress us?"

Her Page gave her a soft slap to her buttocks and she squeaked. "You are slaves. Unless the occasion calls for light clothing, you will nearly always be left nude."

Fuu whimpered and crossed her arms over her chest. "How horrid! Please, don't parade me around like this!"

"Be silent."

Umi walked behind the pair, trying to cower against her own Page. "She's right," she moaned. "I mean, it's one thing to be naked in front of our… masters… but this…"

Her Page shook his head. "It is castle etiquette. All slaves go about naked most of the time. It's by order of the Queen herself." He took Umi's hand and pulled it behind her. "Clasp your hands behind you like this. Yes, there, in the small of your back. It pushes out your breasts." He looked ahead of him. "You should have your girl do the same, Geoffrey. It will please the Queen."

Geoffrey, Fuu remarked inwardly. I never thought to ask him his name.

Umi looked up at her Page. "What is your name?" she asked quietly.

"Ian," he replied without looking at her.

"Is Hikaru joining us?" she asked. "You know, the little red-haired girl?"

"Yes, of course," he replied. "You're the honored guests."

Umi scoffed. Guests. Right.

Fuu shrieked when she was pushed through the doors. All around her were bound slaves. It seemed that they were all standing in twisted positions, but upon closer inspection, she saw that each naked slave had been bound with rope to statues in various poses. They were meant to mimic the marble figures to which they were tied. And there were so many statues… easily thirty. In the center of the hall, for all to see, were three lonely statues. Hikaru was bound to one, Umi to another, and a third was blank with no attached slave. She didn't need to guess who it was for.

They were pulling her forward, and she found herself trying to struggle out of their grasp. It was futile, though; both men who held her were large and could easily sling her over a shoulder. She approached the three statues and saw the people crowded around them. She could hardly see Hikaru, only a mop of her fiery hair.

Oh, God, she thought. Eyes followed her as she grew closer to the crowd. Her bare statue was of a naked woman, bent slightly at the waist, looking as if she were retrieving flowers from a field. Small, silvery cords hung loosely around the arms and legs of the statue.

"Come," Geoffrey whispered. "Be not afraid. You'll be bare and on display, but none will harm you."

Fuu strained her neck to catch a glimpse of Umi. She was strapped to a statue of another woman who had her hands above her head, almost as if she were dancing. Umi's eyes were closed; her lips moved in a silent, frantic mantra. Hands explored her body, sliding over her hips, pinching her cheeks, cupping her pert breasts. Hikaru, too, had her eyes closed. She seemed almost in a faint, hung limply on a statue of a woman with crossed arms and crossed legs.

She bit her lip as she was placed with her back flush against the cold marble of her statue. Her wrists were tied to the stone girl's, and her ankles to the feet below her. It was an uncomfortable pose. Her weight strained against the ropes. She was instructed to hold herself so that she mirrored the statue precisely, with a bent waist, an upturned chin and one hand splayed out towards the ground. Her breasts hung at an awkward angle and soon began to ache. Also, her sex was pressed hard against the cold marble of the flower-picking girl. The sensation caused her to shiver.

People soon blocked her view of the rest of the expansive room. She thought she'd seen a very long row of tables lining the walls when she'd been walked in. Many, many seats had been set up there. And the smell of food was almost overwhelming. Soon, people would be feasting. That was something of a relief to Fuu; at least then they'd leave her alone.

If she strained her neck a bit, she could see the pale, trembling feet of Umi. Try as she might, though, she could see no higher than her knees. All three girls had been placed just far enough apart so as not to be able to touch. Damn. It was absolutely horrid!

Be calm, Fuu forced herself to think. You never made it through any trial by fretting. Be calm. She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. Yes, the castle air was cold, and she was naked. The marble statue was quite cold as well. And the ropes, though they were made of silk, were beginning to pain her. And yes, she felt absolutely exposed. But, if she closed her eyes, she couldn't see the groping hands around her or the endless rows of tables draped with dark cloths. She could only hear the pleasant mutterings of the gentlemen and the soft, almost musical chorus of the conversing women around her. She could tune that out easily enough, if she just concentrated on her breathing…

After a moment or two, she paid no heed to the hands touching her. She supposed she might be punished for squeezing her pretty eyes shut, but no matter. The talking and laughter turned into a dull murmur. Only the vague smell of baking bread and roasted meat, and perhaps the coolness of the floor beneath her feet invaded her senses.

But soon, she heard his voice, and her eyes snapped open. The Prince's voice! It had come and gone. A casual greeting. She strained to hear it again and didn't. Finally he decides to show his face to me! She thought, scandalized. She craned her neck to catch a glimpse of the tables, but all she saw was the back of somebody's robes. Instead, she tried to peer around Umi's calf. She could see the corner of one of the tables, but the only people sat there were finely dressed ladies. A moment later, Fuu heard his voice again, this time much more distinct. She swiveled her head to look to her left.

"—really enjoyed your lovely wares at the festival!" she heard him say. Or, she thought he said it. Then she bit her lip and thought, That may not even be him. I only heard his voice a very few times…

Someone laid a hand on her hair and she tossed her head impatiently, throwing them off. Her head was immediately forced back down by her Page and she was given a few sharp cracks with a whip on her calves. Fuu gasped then bit her lip, refusing to cry out further. She was subjugated. A slave, a prisoner… she had to remember that.

But where was that elusive Prince?

After what seemed like hours, the crowd around the three girls thinned. Music began to play. An announcement was made and the meal commenced. Suddenly, horror crept upon Fuu. They were still tied to their statues. Now that the crowd was gone, she could see that the entire room was circled by tables, not just one section. The three of them were spectacles for the view of every person in there while they ate! Fuu shook violently and bent her head. Anything but this, anything but this torture… Oh God, let us go free, please…

Hikaru whimpered from her right. Poor girl. Her whole body was flushed a shameful red. She was fully exposed to all as well. She'd come out of her faint and was now staring around with wide, frightened eyes. Umi seemed to be staring at the ground, willing herself not to look into the eyes of the lords and ladies that surrounded them. Ah, but Fuu would. She couldn't hide her face, not when she hadn't yet spotted the Prince. Oh God, what kind of view did he have of her?

She finally caught a glimpse of his bright green head far to her left. He was very nearly out of her visual field. She had to crane to see him. But yes, there he was, sitting next to his sister the Queen, amid hundreds of other finely dressed guests. His eyes were on her, of course. The Queen seemed to stare dreamily into space, and many of the lords and ladies were engrossed in their pleasant conversations. But Ferio stared at her as if he hadn't seen her in days. His expression puzzled her. He looked very nearly pained. Well, all she could do was stare back, and so she did. If Fuu could have seen herself, she would have seen that she looked quite beautiful, with brightly flushed cheeks, eyes sparkling with a kind of animal fright, and long blonde hair hanging around her cheeks. A few stray, golden coils tickled her lips.

Umi noticed this as she glanced down and to her left. She could see Fuu, could see where she was looking and could clearly see the green haired Prince—oh, what was his name?—staring right back at her. Yes, Fuu looked ripe and ready to pluck. No wonder so many had crowded around her. Umi actually felt a bit jealous. Many more had touched and petted Fuu than they had Umi.

The bluette shifted her weight on her feet and sighed. Her arms above her head were beginning to cramp a bit, and she was certainly beginning to hate the artist who carved her statue. That idiot, whoever he was, had made his art arch her back slightly, so that Umi had to mime this, with stone breasts sticking into her back and her own breasts jutting out. She refused to look to her right. Clef was sitting there, swirling a finger around in his glass of wine and looking at her fondly. Or, at least he probably thought it was a fond look. On his cynical face, it came out more as a leer. She deliberately looked away for fear that continued eye contact with him would cause her to slip back under his spell again. Plus, she was still mad at him for the night before. What an ass. She closed her eyes and sighed.

"No," she heard the Queen say from behind her. Umi's eyes snapped back open. "Pages, assist your slaves. I want their chins high and their lovely eyes wide open! Yes, make sure they look into the eyes of their masters! Go on, now!"

Umi's fists clenched above her head. Everyone was now staring at her. Ian walked slowly behind her and pulled her head back against the statue to that her chin was high. "See that you stay this way," he whispered, "Or I will be ordered to bind your head."

Umi gulped and nodded slightly. She had to concentrate, had to make sure she wouldn't let herself slump. Ian gave her a few slaps to the buttocks so that she would straighten her posture.

"Much better!" the Queen sighed. "Ladies and gentlemen, do you not love our newest additions to the slave population! These beauties came from the other world but a few days ago!"

To her horror, laughter, cheering and applause erupted from the tables surrounding her. Umi blanched and looked to Clef, whose face remained passive. He glanced over in the Queen's direction and then back at Umi to give her a slight nod.

"Clef!" Umi hissed, clenching her fists again and baring her teeth at him. He made her absolutely furious! Couldn't he do anything about her horrible position! Surely he could ask the Queen to retire early and take her with him! Or, he could request she be spared the torment! Hell, he was the Master Mage of Cephiro. But he was enjoying letting her hang there. Oh yes, he certainly was. She felt as if she could smash his face in.

She struggled against her ropes and glared nastily at him, which only caused him to chuckle softly.

Meanwhile, Hikaru was busy trembling and trying to hide her face against her long hair. But, her Page had fixed her head straight forward and wouldn't let her move it. He told her it'd be the lash for her if she moved again. She was petrified and ashamed because she'd spotted Eagle somewhere in that crowd. It was humiliating… naked and so exposed, and in front of him! She wasn't sure whether or not Lantis was there. Big public things didn't seem to be to his liking. She'd noticed, after her small bit of time with him, that he seemed to be a bit antisocial. Well, that was fine. She had mixed feelings about seeing him, anyway.

Hikaru tossed her hair and did her best to compose herself. She found that, if she stared at a spot on the wall above everyone's heads, she felt a little better. She kept her chin high and tried to think of other things. Hikari. Yes, she loved her Hikari. Perhaps her brothers, the dojo, the wooden floors and the sharp slap of the kendo swords… School bells, the swish of her uniform skirt, her mother cooking, Lantis' lips around her finger…

She startled and stood up straighter. How did that thought get in there? She pictured his mouth again and shuddered slightly. She was too ashamed to admit that she enjoyed it. Hikaru felt like she'd been so wanton, being intimate with two men in one day. And enjoying both men quite thoroughly, she reminded herself. She very nearly began to sweat thinking about Lantis hot skin beneath hers all night, and she also went rather weak in the knees when she thought of Eagle pressing soft kisses to her cheeks and forehead.

Oh no, she was far too young and inexperienced to be comparing men…

"Oh, tisk," Emeraude called from across the room. "Such trouble they have in keeping their posture. I'd say a good whipping is in order!"

Before Hikaru could gasp in outrage, she was grabbed from behind and quickly released from her ropes. She shrieked and was hauled over someone's shoulder like a sack of rice.

"Don't raise your voice," her Page muttered. "It's only a light whipping with the rod, and it's only for amusement. They'll be done with you shortly." He nodded in Umi's direction. "Be loud like that one, though, and they'll likely suspend you by your ankles and leave you that way."

To her right, Fuu was being dragged over to a low stool. Umi was quiet, for once, but she still seemed stiff and uncooperative. No matter. They'd beat that out of her.

"The smallest one first!" the Queen called. Her face was alight with glee. "Yes, the little rouge one. Get a stool for her!"

"No!" Hikaru gasped. "Please don't!"

Her pleas ignored, she was bent over a cushioned stool with her rear forced up into the air. Her knees were crammed uncomfortably into the floor. Almost immediately, a lash licked her calf. She cried out. "Stop!"

"Don't dare protest!" said the guard. "Your punishment will be worse!"

"Punishment for what!?" She shrieked again as the lash found the back of her thigh. Her hands were forced behind her back and more lashes were delivered to her buttocks. Hikaru sobbed loudly, twisting her head from side to side. I didn't do anything! Nothing! This is all for HER amusement! She cried out again under the sting of the lash and cast her eyes around desperately her Prince. He was nowhere to be found! Then again, she could hardly see anyway, eyes blurred with tears as they were… A second whip was taken to her, reddening the backs of her thighs well. She squealed and cried, trying to scoot out of the whip's way. It found her anyway. The cheers and applause from the crowd around her made it all the worse, and she cried louder and louder.

She could hear Fuu's pained cries from her right. She did not hear Umi, though. She certainly heard the whips against her buttocks. Perhaps she was being strong and silent out of spite. It seemed to be Umi's way, at times.

Oh, where was Lantis!

Hikaru quickly fell into a faint. When she came out of it, she was hanging over someone's shoulder again. She could hear the Queen speaking in the background. She heard her name…

"Yes," the Queen was saying. "Seek out Prince Lantis and ask him to allow me her company tonight." She turned and saw the Queen's beautiful, smiling face. "Yes, I want this pretty little one all to myself tonight." Her hand found Hikaru's cheek and stroked it lovingly. "Oh, my brave little one. You held up well under the lash. I do love you so… I shall see you tonight."

The next thing she knew, she would wake up lying in the Queen's bed. But that wouldn't be for several more hours, yet, for Hikaru slipped into another dead faint.

Finally, Fuu's whipping ceased and she collapsed over her stool. She sobbed quietly, hiding her face, too ashamed to look up. Queen Emeraude's gentle voice did not soothe her this time.

"Come on," said a familiar voice. Fuu wept and held out her arms for Ferio to pick her up. "Everyone's heading outside for a garden party," he said quietly. "I won't make you go. You can come with me, if you'd like."

She nodded and allowed him to scoop her up and carry her out of the hall. She wouldn't speak to him, only buried her wet face in his robes and sniffled.

"No, no tears my love," he crooned. "I love you so. I adore you. Come away with me. We'll not join in the festivities this night."

"Pretty lies!" she snapped. She didn't care whether or not he planned to ravage her again. As long as she could lie somewhere in quiet, Fuu didn't care what happened to her body. Her thighs smarted and she cried. "Leave me alone…"

"I can't do that any longer. I've been so caught up in the palace affairs… no, I'll leave you alone no longer." He kissed her face and lips, all wet from tears. "I've missed you terribly!" She only scoffed. "I'll tend to your welts upstairs. I'm sorry you're hurting. Oh, Fuu, cry no more. Come, love…"

"Enough of your false flattery!" she wept. "You do not love me! You only wish to claim my maidenhood! I'm no fool, Ferio! I don't want to be told I'm loved unless it's absolutely genuine!"

Ferio closed his mouth and looked saddened. He walked in silence, letting his girl cry softly into his robes.

When her whipping ceased, Umi finally allowed herself to dissolve into quiet crying. She sank onto the floor next to her stool, glad that her attendants had left her alone. From the sound of moving feet and hurried conversation, she sensed that most people were making ready to leave the room.

Clef rose from his seat and walked to where Umi sat weeping on the floor. People walked past her, generally ignoring her but every once in a while giving her a pat on the head, like she was a well-behaved dog. Umi saw him coming and turned her face away. He stood in front of her, just looking at her for a while, before he finally held his hand out to her and said, "Get up." She brushed his hand away but he persisted. "Come on, girl. Up you get. You may accompany me to the party."

Umi shook her head violently and put her face in her hands. "I don't want to go! Please don't make me go! I want to be alone!"

Clef shrugged. "We won't be too sociable, I promise you that. But I want to go and enjoy the evening air and the lit pathways of the gardens. Fairies flit about at night in this season as well. You'll like to see those. They're quite lovely."

Umi only shrugged weakly and continued to sob. Giving a loud sigh, Clef sank to one knee and took the hem of his robes in his hand, gingerly blotting away the tears from Umi's face. "These are unbecoming, you know. A beautiful slave must not weep."

"I don't care," she whined. "I just want to be left alone!"

"Ah, but I cannot do that. I am not like Prince Ferio, slinking off into the shadows with his pleasure slave under his arm. I must show my face to the royalty of this land, you know. It's expected. The young Prince is too naive to know that. He thinks only of his bedroom and his golden-haired slave."

"Her name is Fuu," Umi said waspishly.

Clef nodded. He took her chin in his hand and turned her face to blot the tears from the other cheek. "There now. Enough of your crying."

She jerked her chin away. "Don't be so sweet to me now after drugging me last night, Clef! I don't like your insincerity!"

His face darkened. "Who said I was being insincere?"

"Ha!" she laughed into his face. "Don't try to play dumb with me. Can't you ever be really nice to me? Even every once in a while?"

"I am being nice to you!" he thundered. "Every bone in my body is sincere, little girl! I shall be kind to you if you would be kind to me first!"

"Fine!" she spat.

"Fine!"

They stared awkwardly at one another for several silent moments. Was that some kind of strange truce? Umi blinked up at him, wondering whether or not he really was sincere. Finally, Clef held out his hand. "Come with me, girl."

She followed him dumbly through the gardens. She heard him greet his fellow lords, saw the hems of the ladies skirts sail past her feet, but she didn't look up. Didn't care to. Her backside stung and she felt it must be so very red and swollen with welts… ah, her thighs stung, as well. Though she felt she hated him, she very much hoped that Clef would take that salve to her again later…

Finally, Clef stopped in a quiet corner of the garden and allowed her to sit in the grass. She opted to stand instead, not wanting to let her smarting thighs and buttocks touch the harsh blades. They were near a wall, next to a fountain. True to Clef's word, Umi could see bright points of light dancing about. Fairies. If she were in a more cheerful mood, she might enjoy them. She looked past the fountain at the rest of the party. Most people were gathered near the hedges or sitting on poufs lay in the grass. They paid Clef and Umi no mind.

Very nice, Umi found herself thinking. He won't sneak me away like Prince Ferio, but he certainly doesn't have a problem with taking me to some dark, obscure little corner of this party…

"I feel you must hate me," Clef said after a time.

Umi looked at him cautiously. "What makes you say that?"

He was looking fixedly at the bushes next to them. At first he did not reply, but after a moment he said, "I—you've made me very proud today. You did well."

She closed her mouth and glared at him. How she longed to say, "Oh thanks, jerk." Instead, she said, "Of course I did." He laid a hand on her sore thigh and she gasped, stepping away. "Please, it hurts me."

He turned pale eyes on her. Eyes a very similar color to hers, she remarked. "Umi, do you know how long it's been since I last took a pleasure slave for myself?" She shook her head. "It's been quite some time. If I were to reckon the years, I'd say they'd at least amount to thirty or forty."

"Forty years?" she hissed.

"Something like that. Although, it could very well be longer." He scratched his chin. "It's difficult to remember, sometimes." He took a moment to look very weary. "I've lived entirely too long."

"Then, why did you take me?" she asked quietly. She took to studying the same bush he studied. Why did they find one another's presences awkward now?

He chuckled softly. "Well, my first guess would be because you're beautiful, but there have been many beautiful young girls thrown my way."

"So…?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. My last love slave was like many others; unable to capture my heart. I do look for that in a young girl, you know. I do not seek to love, but I like the possibility of love, and if I find I cannot have it, I will discard the girl."

"I don't think I understand," Umi said.

Clef only shrugged again. "Or perhaps it's that I do seek to love. That's one thing I cannot do, though… not in this land." He looked at her. "Umi, you really were very beautiful today. Very noble-looking. The other two girls look like frightened lambs, but you…" His hand sought hers. "Your chin was high. And you looked proud. I commend you for that. I think you very beautiful, you know."

She sighed, weary and unwilling to resist him. "I know you do."

His hand turned over in hers and, when she looked at it, it glowed a soft lavender. "Are you in pain?" he asked quietly. His voice had taken on that cool, husky tone again. She found it agreeable.

"I am, a little."

He pulled her down to her knees and splayed his fingers out, smiling as they slicked over with wet, lavender light. Medicine. He pressed against her and reached around her, smoothing her aching welts with his hands. She moaned and leaned into him. "Thank you."

"No, thank you," he breathed. "Your show for me today was magnificent. I'm sorry it caused you pain, but it quickened my heart for you. You are a pearl among swine, lady. I do believe I adore you." He slipped his hands behind her head and crushed her against him. His strength was surprising for one so small. "Kiss me," he said, "And mean it."

Umi nearly mewled against his mouth, for she feared him pushing her against the hedges and further scratching her backside, but there was no pain, and when she felt herself, she found she was healed. His hands had healed her again. Now, they were holding her face to his. And yes, his mouth, as always, was soft, and this time he didn't need to be forceful, for she found herself accepting his kiss.

"You really desire me, don't you?" she whispered, eyes closed.

"Of course."

The answer didn't surprise her. She kept her eyes closed, feeling his mouth traveling over her cheeks and nose, his hands twisting her head this way and that. "Do you love me?"

He paused only briefly. With his mouth next to her ear, he said, "It wouldn't matter, if I did."

She wept again. All Clef could do was continue to cradle her face against his. He pressed into her, supporting her weight so that she could lean against him and cry. Maybe a good cry was what she needed, even if it was with the man she both loved and hated.