World of Cypheria - Terindra's Story - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The decorators just didn't seem to understand what she wanted. "Out! Get out, all of you! You're useless!" The three women moved to the door, woebegone expressions on their faces. To be summoned by the Princess was the best thing that could happen to their business, but to be dismissed by her was a disaster. She didn't care. Milanda closed the door behind them and brought her a glass of cool juice to calm her. She looked around the still unfinished office. It seemed to be the mirror of her life right now.

She called the new slave in, the old clerk. The man bowed low before her and waited her instructions, well trained in his position. He wore gray tunic and trousers of the type issued by the slave market. Another thing that need her attention. "Milanda, would you or one of the other girls look into designing some livery for us? We must get our people out of this awful gray." She continued her inspection of him, not that there was much to see. "What is your name?'

"My last owner called me Clerk Thirty-two, Mistress."

"That won't do. What do you call yourself?" She had never asked such a question before, never thought about her slaves beyond their function. Now they were hers, though. It felt different.

"My Lady? I call myself Hardil, if it please you."

He looked concerned, as if she might steal it from him. "That will serve, Hardil. This is my office. It isn't finished yet." She stopped to look around again, dissatisfaction in the set of her face. "You will have the desk out front, when there is one. In the meantime, there is pen and paper in this one. Please make a list of general supplies we will need to set up a functioning office. Give it to Milanda when you are done. Then you will begin reviewing these books." She gave him the more public of her account books, although she doubted much information in the other ones was unknown. Now she realized how naive her dealings had been to this point. Well, like everything else, it was a start.

She left Hardil and Milanda and went toward the servant's quarters. She stepped out through the small dining room to the courtyard. The servants quarters and slave barracks were in the south wing of the manor house. The gates and stables were off to her left as she crossed the drive to the central gardens and strolled across. This too she imagined replanted, the fountain replaced with something more, more, well, she didn't quite know, but certainly not that monstrous monument to conformity. At least the fountain spray was cool since they got it working again. The gardener was driving them both to frustration, sending her designs for plantings that she refused again and again. He was getting closer to what she wanted, but needed to expand his imagination a bit.

She paused a moment, thinking about the changes going through her household, trying to take a step back and see it all. On the whole, she thought it was feeling rather good. Her first major independent project, and she thought she wasn't failing too badly at it. It was so much more complex an undertaking than she had ever thought. She was finding it fascinating, though! This judgment of people and building of relationships, her mind kept finding patterns in it she had never paid attention to before! She knew she wasn't near ready to begin her public life again. The thought brought her spirits crashing down. She kept trying to avoid thinking about it, knowing she had no clue how to get started in the hotbed of intrigue that was the Imperial nobility. She thought she had played that game before, and found too many people had read her like a book.

It made her angry, and determined. Her drawer full of notes and file cards convinced her that she knew more than she had ever thought she did. It also told her there were reams of information she still needed. It was a deadly game, and she couldn't avoid it too long. The more she learned of how her household was run, the more she wondered about other households as the probable sources of a great deal of information. The nobility ignored their servants, as she had until recently. She was beginning to learn just how big a mistake that could be, and determined that she would know all of her own servants. And ensure that they wished her well.

Suddenly another thing occurred to her. She had a number of estates around the country that she knew literally nothing about. They were hers. They provided most of her income. The Imperial Lands Department had always managed them. Another thing to take a good hard look at. Perhaps in person. Yes, a tour of her estates. It would be both an education and a chance at more time to put her situation together to suit herself. It would not be soon, but she thought to herself that she would ensure it was not too long, either. She would need to leave next month for the summer fete at Merchant Stollerin's estate. She could leave on her tour from there.

A wagon clattered in the gate, after being inspected by Andinel's people. The lamp merchant was perched with another man on the bench. Good. A beginning on her office at last.

Leaving the ugly fountain, she continued across the garden and the far side of the drive to enter the south wing. It had been furnished before her arrival in utilitarian functionality. Ugly. Surely her servants would work better if they had some comfort of their own to work for. The wing was arranged with the offices and rooms of the various household managers in an easily accessible central hallway. Stairs led up to the servants quarters and slave barracks. Larger rooms toward the street allowed training areas and a dining hall was toward the kitchen, then the house turned and the public rooms were in the west side of the building. She entered the wing and turned right to reach the office Saiadine had claimed. She opened the door and Saiadine looked up, annoyed.

The speed with which she was out of her chair and bowing was truly impressive. Terindra smiled. "Sit down. I decided to see this end of the house, instead of sending for you. What do you have to report?" Terindra seated herself in one of the two chairs across the desk from her slave mistress. They reviewed the slave list, and discussed Saiadine's training plans for Rhodry. Terindra hadn't realized how much would be required of her. Oh well, she'd do what it took.

"Give your lists of supplies, needs, budget, whatever to Hardil. It will be seen to." When she finished with Saiadine, she refused to let her call an escort and stepped back into the hall herself. Walking to the end, she climbed the stairs and walked back up the hall. The slave barracks on either side were neatly kept, neatly made beds and chests of clothing and such in between. Slaves didn't need much.

She stopped. They were her servants, too. They could talk, too. They didn't have as much opportunity, still they were sent on errands and they were present with the slaves of others when visitors came. It would be a wise thing to have their loyalty. She looked again at the plain barracks room, thinking. A gasp came from down the hall to her left. A girl was on her knees there, trying to gather her dropped laundry, glancing desperately up at Terindra.

She smiled at the girl. "Calm, child. You're in no trouble from me for going on about your work. Anyone can be startled!"

She continued down the hall to the end. A warm breeze was rising up the stairs, damp and fragrant. Terindra's stomach growled. She moved quietly down the stairs into the bustle of the huge kitchen. Pausing on the lower steps, she looked around at the people working for her. Cook bent over the iron stove, carefully seasoning a broth. One of the drudges chopped roots at a counter while another further down scrubbed at pots from lunch. The third dropped a plate of bread and cheese she was headed to the door with when a pile of wood crashed to the floor behind her.

"What be wrong wi' you idiots! You be making a right mess o' my kitchen! Herby how could you..." Cook followed his eyes as he dropped to his knees and bowed to her, then they were all kneeling except Cook, who curtsied deeply. "My Lady, I'm so sorry, we didna see you!" Her eyes went to the two messes on the floor, then snapped back to Terindra, waiting for her anger.

"I must have the demeanor of a dragon today!" That startled them all, though they did not dare to move. "Everywhere I go people are dropping things." She took one more step down, then another to the floor. Still nobody moved. "Please, everybody get up. You cannot do the work for which you are here if you must kneel every time I walk through. You'll burn the sauce! Nobody need kneel to me in this house, unless in front of guests, or other formal situations. Nor do you need bow each time I walk in, Cook. I expect proper respect, but I've no interest in creating problems in my kitchen just by walking in."

She motioned at the slave by the scattered fire wood to continue, smiled at the poor drudge gathering the spilled food from the floor were she still knelt, then went to smell the broth Cook had been laboring over. "You have outdone yourself, I think!" The spicy scent brought another growl from her mid section. She smiled at Cook. "Do you have a few moments to speak with me?" She interrupted before Cook could answer her. "Please tell me if this is not a good time, before dinner and all. It can easily be done later. But I only wish a few moments, truly."

Cook stared at her, a puzzled expression on her face. "Yes, my Lady. O' course, I mean, the broth must be simmering a time yet, twill hold. Oh, thank you, my Lady, fer liking it, I mean, the smell..." she stopped, swallowed, and tried again. "I do have the time now, my Lady, if you please." She looked vaguely around the kitchen. They were far from any place where she would expect to attend Terindra.

"Can we sit there? And might there be some juice around?" Terindra led her toward the rough table near the door to the courtyard, open to send the draft and the heat of the kitchen up the stairs and keep the room livable. Cook called for the juice and joined her at the table nervously.

"What might I be doing for you my Lady?" She sat on the bench as if ready to bounce off of it at a moments frown from Terindra, eyes cast down but flicking up again and again to try and gauge her face.

"I would like your advice. You run your kitchen admirably, from what I can see. Somebody needs to oversee the rest of the household. I thought of giving you the position, as you are doing a good portion of it already." Cook paled, and Terindra knew she was right about how much work was involved to support all the people of her household. It was enough simply to feed them morning noon and night. "But I've realized that there is much too much for one person, however skilled." She gave the obviously relieved woman a reassuring smile. "Hazil managed it for me for years, when the staff was only the servants tending my suite at the palace. She is old, though, and this larger household is too much for her. However, as I said, you have done a fine job so far, which means you know what is required for such a position. Would you assist me in finding somebody who will work well with us?"

"Well, I, ah, o' course, my Lady!" Her stout body seemed to expand as she relaxed and sat up straighter. A bit of pride swelled in her. She glanced to the side to see who had witnessed the Lady asking her opinion, and coming to see her in the kitchen, no less! "My Lady, you should be knowin', it's been Zilla what's helped wi' much o' it. She says as how you don't be requirin' that much o' her, and she's been that happy to help out, so she says. She's a right knack for it, an' it please you, Lady."

"Zilla? What an interesting thought." Terindra considered, twining a curl of hair through her fingers and idly watching Andinel working with the guard in open area before the main doors of the house. It served as training area when not occupied with carriages, which was usually, so far. She was startled to see Listani join them. Andinel didn't react, so she assumed that Saiadine had approved it. She knew Hanarzy body slaves were bodyguards as well, but she hadn't really thought about it.

"Zilla is right, I don't occupy much of her time. Milanda has become a personal assistant, and Merrith aids me in other ways. I hadn't thought about Zilla. You believe she has the skills to manage the house? More importantly, I think... does she command the respect of the people who would work for her?"

Cook smiled. "My Lady is wise. Yes, my Lady, she does." Terindra thought she looked almost proud, gazing across the table earnestly. "Might I make so bold as to say, my Lady, that I'm happy to be serving here? Not that my likes should mean anything to you, my Lady, but just the same, I am."

Terindra found that the remark oddly warmed her. She smiled back at the round woman. "I hope that everybody here feels the same. Please tell me or Zilla if there is anybody who isn't happy here, or anything that you feel is needed for the staff. This must be a home to all of us. I will talk with Zilla, and I hope the two of you will work as partners in this. Another thing I wished to speak of to you. But do you need to stir the sauce? And is that some fruit and cheese I see, what's her name? Arranging on a plate down there?"

Cook hurried off and Terindra let her eyes return to the distracting view of the fighters working out in the courtyard. Their movements were smooth and controlled. They were shirtless in the heat, and so that Andinel could see better their positioning and movements. She called out short commands and they moved together from position to position, glistening with sweat. There were ten of them, plus Listani and Andinel. The others must be on duty or asleep for the night watch. They were split between men and women, all in superb condition. Only Listani moved with the smooth grace of Andinel, though.

She was startled when Cook slid the plate of cheese and fruit before her, and refilled her glass with cool juice. Terindra had emptied it without being aware of it. "Thank you!" She turned back to the table to meet an amused look, quickly wiped away. The cheese was white and flavorful, a perfect contrast to the sweet slices of grenfruit and the slightly tart juice. She determinedly kept her attention on them, not the courtyard. She might have to come here more often, though!

"It is comfortable here, Cook. Another sign of a well run place!" Terindra stopped, and looked at the woman across from her. Really looked at her. 'Cook' was a stout woman, taller than most. Her face was strong featured, and might be called handsome, in a womanly way. Her hair was auburn and pulled back in a soft knot on the back of her head. Her eyes saved her from looking severe, expressive and alert, with a spark of good humor behind them. Terindra had seen them flash, though, when the wood had dropped earlier, and had no doubt she could manage her people quite well. She wore a plain green gown, with several pockets stitched in it, and a large ring of keys hanging from a cord on her belt.

"What is your name? I should not name you 'Cook' as though you have none of your own." Terindra watched her face, trying to judge her reaction. This was new ground for her, trying to understand her servants. She feared they understood her all too well. At least, until recently. They seemed a bit puzzled today. She enjoyed the thought.

Cook looked pleased. "I am Helosin, my Lady. But Cook is what I am, and I've worked hard to get here. I answer to it proudly, my Lady." Her voice was warm and firm, and she smiled confidently at Terindra. This woman was sure of herself, and secure in her place. Good.

"You are personal Cook to the Princess Terindra, second in line to the throne of Arbigahl, and her trusted advisor. You have every right to be proud, and know that I am proud as well. Somebody once told me, I don't remember who or when, that you could judge a person by the quality of the people around them. I didn't understand her until now, but she was right."

Helosin glowed, and Terindra realized the kitchen was quiet. She glanced around at the others present. They were staring at her, then bent earnestly back to their jobs at her glance. She smiled.

"Now, the other thing I wanted to mention to you. I've just walked through the south wing. I would like to see it more comfortable, more welcoming. I said before, this must be home to all of us. Would you and Zilla and the others consider what you would like to do to improve it? Paint, fabrics, personal mementos, rugs of course, and curtains. Give Hardil an estimate of the cost, and I will make funds available."

"Yes, my Lady!" They were all smiling now, even the slaves would appreciate such things, and she meant to see they had a bit more to appreciate, as well. But she was not so foolish as to start that without consulting Saiadine first. Her mind turned back to the door.

"Thank you for your time, Cook. I'll sit here and finish my snack, if you don't mind. But please don't let me keep you from your duties." Terindra didn't see the woman's smile as she returned to her sauce.

Andinel was just dismissing the guards as a new voice joined the others in the kitchen, where the workers had finely adjusted to her presence somewhat. "Oh! There you are my Lady! I mean, my Lady, Milanda is looking for you!" The maid curtsied before her, and Terindra sighed. She had enjoyed her respite here immensely. She would certainly make it a regular habit!

"Where is Milanda?"

Terindra left the kitchen back up the back stairs, determined to finish her tour of the house. The disconcerted looks that followed her made her even more sure of her choices today. The workroom stood open, bare tables and bins and racks of supplies for everything from darning to mixing household remedies and herbals. It was a nice large room, and she thought it could be made a comfortable place for people to work together without losing its functionality. But she would let the staff request the things that were important to them. She would learn more that way. She continued on, down the long hallway that ran along the side of the ballroom, where the ceiling rose through the second floor.

Soon she was at her office, where Milanda waited with Hardil, looking a bit anxious. "We couldn't find you! I know you didn't leave, my Lady, but where did you go?" Milanda was honestly puzzled, not used to the mistress she had known for so long wandering off to odd places. She had never done so at the Palace! She wondered what she had missed!

"I went to look at my house! All of my house. I'd never actually seen the whole thing. I felt that I should. I believe I was right!" She smiled, trying for enigmatic. She thought she might have succeeded, by the expressions on their faces. "Now what did you need me for? I wasn't aware of any appointments for this afternoon." She picked a chair, becoming irritated all over again at not sitting in the chair she knew should go behind the desk that she knew should be there and wasn't.

Milanda held something out to her. It looked like a letter, crumpled and smoothed out again.

Terindra took it and looked at it. "You've seen this?" she asked Hardil.

"Yes, my Lady. The maid found it as she was filling the new lamps, tucked in the bottom of one. She saw writing on it and asked me if it was important. I called Miss Milanda right away."

"You did well. I would have had you read it anyway. Interesting, isn't it?"

Milanda nodded, understanding the value of the information she held in her hand. Hardil nodded as well. He probably knew little as yet of the ins and outs of the noble class, but he would learn. And any clerk would understand the value of a complete, as far as she could tell at a glance, list of the holdings of one of her sister's major supporters. Who gave her such information? The merchant? She doubted it, the man was a genuine artisan, and much too productive to have time for this level of intelligence work.

But he might know who did. Somebody had access to that lamp. "Send Merrith to talk to the merchant. Gently. He is valuable to me, unless he is truly involved in this. But I must know where the note came from. A couple of guards are to accompany her." She turned back to the secretary. "Hardil, you are to have one of the south wing office suites. You will move into one immediately, and begin setting up an office for yourself there, as well. Add your requirements to the list you have started. And you are to make your room comfortable for yourself. I will expect much of you. You will need a place more suitable than that barracks."

"Yes, my Lady. Thank you, my Lady." His long mouth turned down at the corners, and his eyes were thoughtful and a bit concerned. "My Lady, you told me to take paper and such from this desk." He waited for her nod. "I found your notes, my Lady. I didn't know what they were at first, so I looked at them, intending no harm, my Lady." Again he waited, but when she nodded he looked a bit relieved and continued. "I thought, from what you've said, that you might want me to have an understanding of your, ah, situation and competition." He hurried on, sure now that she wasn't angered by his presumption. "If that is so, Lady, might I study your notes? They seem well organized and, actually, I found myself following the connections you made with interest. You think different from others I've worked for." He looked quickly back down at his desk, and she thought he was a bit embarrassed.

"Yes, do study them, and tell me if you see something I've missed. I wish to build a great deal of such information. You will be doing a lot of that, filing and connecting things. And I must find who brought us this note. Look at my notes in relation to the information here, and add the connections you find. Make a summary of them to review with me."

---

Later, she rose from an early bath when Merrith brought word back about the merchant. He seemed to be innocent of any knowledge. He had apparently hired the assistant from a local labor pool for the day, his usual practice for deliveries. They were always accompanied by one of his trusted people, so he never worried about it before. Nobody at the labor pool remembered having seen him before. It had to have been him. Now that she thought about it, Terindra could barely recall the man herself. He was just a nondescript worker. Again, she saw what a failing it was to ignore the common folk!

Merrith had gotten the names of some decorators from him as well, a team he said worked well with his designs. Milanda was with the decorators, discussing schedules and payment. By now she had a good idea of what Terindra wanted for the room, and Terindra trusted it to her. Hardil was with them, readying himself to assume more responsibilities.

In the meantime, Zilla was with her. Bathing early wasn't quite so relaxing as her usual custom of bathing after dinner, but it would be worth the change in her routine for the training session with Rhodry tonight. It was to begin at dinner, and Terindra suddenly couldn't wait to find what Cook had done with that sauce that had smelled so good!

She donned a sheer gown after Zilla dried them both, and moved into her bedroom. She thought she wanted it done to match the office. All warmth and flame, smooth silk and soft cotton and leather and wood. The table was set and Zilla signaled the kitchen for dinner.

Watching her, Terindra was reminded of her other intention for the evening. "Zilla, I was talking with Cook today. I have heard that you have done much to aid her in ordering all the things that are done for me each day."

"I am glad to help. It has kept me busy and I've enjoyed that. I hope I have pleased you." She came and knelt beside Terindra's chair, looking up at her, her fresh lips parted and her bright eyes dancing up at her mistress.

Terindra bent quickly and kissed her softly, just tasting her for a moment. "I'm glad you found something to occupy you. I have neglected you, and I apologize. There has never been any lack in you, the three of you are just too good for me to actually need three of you! But I need you now." Terindra smiled as Zilla's eyes lit. "I think perhaps you have found your niche with me, at last. I would like you to run the household, formally. You will be my Chamberlain, and sit with Cook, Andinel, and Saiadine to arrange things as need be. The four of you will form the structure of my household. Would you like that?" She saw her answer shining from the beautiful woman's face, and kissed her again, smothering her answer.

The door opened and Saiadine came in, leading Rhodry. A guard accompanied them. Rhodry was hooded, but was obviously freshly bathed. Nobody said a word as he was seated in a special chair at the table and chained in place. The guard left and Saiadine, still silent, moved behind the slave to a seat by the wall.

The door opened again and the new young waiter brought in a large cart. He presented dishes to her one at a time, and at her nods placed them carefully on the table. He poured wine and water, bowed, and left. Still they were all silent.

Milanda had come in while the waiter worked, and took her seat at Rhodry's left side. Terindra sat to his right. Zilla kissed her once more and left. Saiadine had said that the fewer faces for the slave to fix on at this stage, the better. The room was even arranged to present a plain, featureless face to him. Terindra and the food must fill his mind for this brief time, before he was returned to his quiet isolation and darkness. Saiadine had also warned her, and they would use great care tonight, for the slave would hate her now, even more than before.

"Milanda, remove that hood from him! My lovely Rhodry should not be covered so!" She made her voice clear and open, this first thing he had heard in a day and a half.

He started, and again when he felt Milanda's gentle touch removing the hood. He blinked owlishly in the light, face a bit pale.

"Oh, my poor Rhodry! My new slave mistress is so hard on you! I wish she wouldn't treat you so, but she insists it is necessary." His eyes tracked her voice and found her eyes, and she saw hatred there indeed. "You are with me now, and you will not be treated so under my eyes. You will eat here with me tonight, for I could not stand to think of you down there again and insisted that she let you out!"

Milanda began serving them from the bowls and platters. The menu had been selected for its rich aromas and colors, of foods that would stay down in a stomach that had been recently neglected somewhat.

They began with a soup, and Terindra chattered on, instructing Milanda to feed him, encouraging him to eat. He did, but his eyes never left her, glaring at her as if he would memorize every pore and skin her with his eyes if he could. She let him look, her sheer robe hanging open as she moved. She touched him often, softly caressing his arm, his shoulder, his chest. She was careful to never allow his hands a chance to grab, or his teeth a chance to bite.

Saiadine had assured her that this memorization was what they wanted. It was all he would see hear, smell, taste when he was returned to the dark. He would play it over and over in his mind, and over time he would wait desperately for her voice, her touch her face as his only escape from nothingness. If he didn't go insane first. She vowed to herself that wouldn't happen. She would watch closely and they would change the program if it went too far.

For now, she filled his senses with herself and pleasure as much as she could. She found herself less aroused in this situation than she had with him before, and was not sure why. She put the thought aside and concentrated on feeding him this fine dinner, and took time to enjoy it herself. Cook had truly done well. The sauce was over a pastry with succulent mushrooms backed in it, and was truly a wonder.

Eventually the dinner was over. Rhodry had not attempted to refuse the food or attention. He had probably vowed to himself to live for revenge or some such. She understood it was very hard to come to terms with the idea of being no longer your own to plan for. It was harder in adult men, those who had been strong when captured. They could be forced to work, chained and under a lash, but that was not the same as being tamed and trained, as she intended with Rhodry.

Milanda moved the table away, and worked on the side of Rhodry's chair. It was made to adjust, and by opening catches and moving levers, she flattened it into a table like the massage tables down the hall. His hands were pulled again above his head, his ankles anchored to the base of the table.

Terindra stood over him and Milanda brought her the oil, a light sandalwood, her own scent to go with him. She poured some in her hand and began rubbing it into his skin, smooth circles on his chest. She kept murmuring to him, keeping her voice in his ears.

He continued to glare at her, but offered no resistance. Terindra continued to spread the warm oil, working in slow circular patterns down his chest and muscled stomach, then down one thigh and leg, and back up the other, finishing with his arms. Talking gently all the while, she run her oily hands down his sides, fingerstouching his beautiful rounded ass, and teasing the backs of his legs. Now she was becoming a bit aroused, finally.

He seemed relaxed, until she began oiling his groin. His manhood was soft, but still large. She started with his testicles, telling him how she liked the feel of them, soft in her hands. She massaged them gently, then began spreading the oil up his shaft. Her motions were designed to apply the oil evenly, arousing him was a side effect, but it worked all the same. She could feel the anger, never quite gone, growing again, rapidly. As soon as the oiling was finished, she stopped, and moved back from him.

Milanda tilted his chair back to a seating position. Another massage table had been moved to where the dining table had been while Terindra worked on Rhodry. Milanda adjusted it like a lounge, one end raised to support the back. He was seating, facing the new table. Terindra slid herself up onto the massage table and lay back against the propped portion. "Oh, Rhodry, I liked doing that for you, but I know you don't want me yet. I want you, very badly indeed! But not until you are ready for me. I will satisfy myself as best I can until then. But know that it is you that I want."

She brought her knees up, placing her feet on the edge of the table. She spread her feet, and gazed at him from between her knees. Her hand slipped between her thighs, fingers parting her lips in Rhodry's full view. She began massaging herself, fingers still oily from Rhodry. He couldn't keep himself from watching, and she grew more excited under his eyes. Two fingers curled and slid deep inside herself, then pulled out and grazing over her clit, pressing with her fingertips. Then her hand moved down again and back up, in slow smooth strokes, and her breath grew quicker.

Milanda moved forward and knelt alongside Rhodry's chair. Her hand draped casually on his thigh and she watched Terindra with him. He glared down at the top of the maid's head, but she paid him no attention at all as she watched her mistress and let her other hand drift down to touch herself. He had no choice but watch one of them.

Terindra felt herself grow wet, and her fingers moved a bit faster. She fantasized having sex with him. Her free hand drifted to her breast, and rolled the stiff nipple between her fingers, pulling on it while supporting her full breast in her hand. Her hips began rocking with her motions, fingers sliding into her quim and pulling back to graze her little knob. She angled her hand to stimulate it for the full length of each movement, and watched Rhodry watch her.

"Aah, yes, Rhodry, it feels good. I wish it were you, licking me, and fucking me! I want you so bad. I can see that you want me, too. We'll wait, lover, until you're ready. But it's hard, Rhodry. It's so hard, I want so much more. After a whole evening with you, it's so hard." She kept on, the same things in between her own sighs. Her hand moved faster between her legs, her other hand trailing over her skin. "I want to feel your fingers inside me, and your lips on my breasts. I want to feel your cock thrusting deep."

Milanda was breathing hard, too, leaning against his chair. His cock was fully erect now, and the maid grasped it in her free hand. He gasped and his hips jerked, but could do nothing. She never looked away from Terindra, her beautiful body spread on display before them. Milanda looked amused, and Terindra wondered why.

She ran out of breath to talk, then, as she neared her climax. She wasn't used to doing this much for herself, and certainly not on display like this! She had asked the othere to masturbate in front of her often enough, but not herself. She was always the one watching. So she watched. Milanda's hand moved more quickly and Rhodry's hips rocked with her in spite of his anger, still showing in his face. Still, his breath was becoming faster, too.

His lips were moving, but Terindra couldn't hear him. She wondered what he was saying. Her eyes drifted back down. Milanda's hand moved quickly and skillfully on him, and Terindra enjoyed the sight. She saw him swelling, and his balls began to draw up.

Then she climaxed, remembering at the last minute to call his name while her body jerked on the table. "Oh Rhodry!" She felt her pussy tighten around her fingers, and the fire shot through her. She groaned, forcing her hand to keep moving while the rest of her body locked up for a moment. She heard other sounds, and opened her eyes to see Rhodry's cock spurting his cream as Milanda's hand continued to stroke him.

Terindra smiled at the surprised look on his face. She'd never allowed him his satisfaction before, probably why it had come so quickly now. That, and she knew exactly how skilled Milanda was! "Good Rhodry, if we can't be together, at least we can share our own pleasures!" She lazily traced her wet fingers up and down her slick labia. "You will be with me soon, I hope. When you're ready, lover. I hope it's soon, this is so hard, seeing you without having you! I don't know if I can stand it! Now, I'm afraid, it is time for you to go to bed. I do hope you will be ready soon, or I won't be able to stand seeing you like this! Good bye, Rhodry!" She motioned with her free hand to Milanda, who replaced the hood.

He yelled as it went over his face, "You bitch! Never, you bitch! I'll never be ready for that! You can just keep on fucking yourself, bitch! Leave me alone!" She stared at him, amazed. Nobody had ever dared to speak to her like that! She kept her silence as Saiadine came forward and began dragging him out the door, chair and all. The guard outside the door joined to assist.

Terindra sat up at the edge of the massage table. "Finally! That was much more difficult than I thought it would be. I'm glad it's over. Milanda, take the rest of the evening and night for yourself. Just send in Listani, would you?"

"I'd be happy to. Just relax, it's been a long day. Good night, my Lady."

"Good night, Milanda." Terindra threw herself on the bed, then got up and walked to the windows. The last of the light shone on half of the garden, the rest in shadow. The sight of the unplanted space made her turn away again. She was irritable, restless, too tired to actually go do anything but unable to settle down. Damn that slave anyway. He took entirely too much of her attention, and left her like this! She'd have him trained, all right, but she might end up truly a bitch, as he named her, by the end of it!

Listani let himself quietly in the door and stopped to look at her. He was utterly beautiful. He carried himself straight, and stood quietly under her gaze. She realized that he was watching her, too. Not looking down as a slave waiting for orders, but looking at her, assessing her. When she met his eyes, he smiled. "May I make you a special drink, my Lady?"

"A drink? What kind of drink?" Curious, she strolled to her armchair and sat down. She remembered she was still naked when the fabric touched her skin. No wonder he was looking at her like that.

"Some wine, some herbs, a thing I was taught. It will help to relax you. I brought the herbs with me, and there is wine here in the room." Unbidden, he moved to the sideboard near the fireplace and set a poker in the small fire burning there, for mulling. Then he began sifting herbs into a carafe.

He filled it with wine and smiled at her as she came to look over his shoulder. He smelled good, and she rested her chin on his shoulder and put her arms around his waist. He turned his head and swiftly kissed her nose, startling her. Then he bent to the hot poker and dipped it in the carafe. The hissing steam carried a light spicy aroma to her nose. He poured two glasses through a woven strainer and handed her one, sipping from it first.

She tried it. Light and spicy, as it smelled. Rather nice actually. She drank a little more and wandered to the windows again. Now the whole yard was shaded, and sunset was glowing in the western sky. She felt rather than heard Listani come up behind her, then his arms care around her waist, holding her loosely against him. It felt very comforting, and she relaxed back against his chest. His arms moved up a bit, wrapping her in warm and gentle strength. She swallowed the last of the wine with the last of the colors in the sky.

She felt his breath on her hair, and he nuzzled lightly against the side of her head. She turned her head and kissed him lightly on the lips, warm and spicy. Then found herself doing it again. She paused and looked in his eyes. They looked back, a smile in them. She kissed him again, a little longer, testing her own reaction. Oh, yes, this was nice. Then she was facing him, and this kiss had passion in it. Suddenly she was very aroused as she felt her nipples stiffen against him.

He picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed, laying her gently on the sheets. He kissed her again, slowly and carefully exploring her lips. She tasted his in turn, sucking the lower one into her mouth for a second, darting her tongue to the roof of his mouth. His hand stroked her side and he lay down beside her, head raised on one arm. He explored her body with his fingers, amusing himself with touching every inch of her.

She seemed to relax more with every touch, though she felt more stimulated than ever. His hand trailed down her side again, around the curve of her hip and down the side of her leg as far as he could reach. Then back up the inside, moving aaround and over her belly to miss her sex. He trailed it back up her body, briefly curved it around her breast, then cupped his hand over her breast as he give her another kiss. Back down his fingers went, her other side this time. Another kiss.

Then he smoothed his hand over her belly, fingers tracing her belly button. His head lowered to her chest and his lips closed on her nipple as his hand brushed the hair on her pussy then rubbed the inside of her thigh. The combined sensation brought a gasp from her, but she stayed relaxed. Her hand trailed in his hair, enjoying the silky feeling of it around her fingers. She made no effort to guide him, just enjoyed his explorations. His hand was back, cupping her mound in warmth as he sucked the end of her tit in his mouth.

"Mmm. Listani, that feels good. Whatever was your drink is lovely. So are you."

He lifted his head a moment and smiled at her, then his finger slipped inside her and she let her eyes roll closed and just enjoyed the sensation.

She felt him lean over her again and his tongue began exploring her as his hand had done, while his palm cupped her mound gently. His finger slipped just inside her every now and then, and the lips of her pussy slowly opened under his petting. Finally his fingers started touching her clit lightly every now and then. The feeling shimmered through her lightly, building every so slowly. His kisses drifted south, caressing her belly. She felt surrounded in warmth, inside and out.

He bent far over to slip his tongue between her nether lips, and she caught her breath at the hot feel of it. He lapped at her, and she felt his weight shift on the bed. He moved around between her legs, and lifted her knees. She felt the tip of his manhood settle between her lips, and he leaned over her. His lips touched hers and she tasted herself on his togue as he kissed her slowly, deeply. His cock presseed slowly into her, and she sighed at the way it fit. He came to rest fully sheathed, his groin pressing against hers.

She thought she could feel every tiny bit of him inside her, she was so sensitive. He kissed her lightly, and as his lips caressed her lips his hips began again to move, ever so slightly. It was incredible! The feelings washed through her, and still she felt relaxed, not reaching for her satisfaction, not doing anything consciously but feeling. She she moved with him, her body doing what it needed to her while she simply enjoyed it.

His strokes grew slowly and longer, still moving at a smooth constant pace. The fire inside her built and built, finally bringing some urgency with it. She floated, her mind rocking with her body as it rocked with him. Suddenly she realized he was moving all the way in and out of her, and now he began to move more quickly. Her thoughts spun away again as her body took over. She had no idea what she did besides cling to him as he took her beyond anything she had felt before!

She might have drifted forever, but suddenly he changed his rhythm. He began thrusting hard into her, pulling back and thrusting again. The sensations became demanding, the change driving her intoxicated body over its limits and she climaxed, hard. She screamed, arms and legs locked around him as he drove into her again and again and again. Then she knew no more for a while.

When she woke, thoughts of the strange letter floated through her mind. Listani slept beside her and she rose, leaving him there. She donned her robe and made her way silently to her office. She lit a lamp for herself, taking a moment to enjoy its design. The artisan was truly skilled! She smiled and pulled out Hardil's work of the afternoon. She found his summary, neatly written out on top, and lost herself in the web of the nobility and merchants again.

After awhile she looked up to see Listani standing in the doorway. He said nothing but took up a position outside her door, reminding her of his position as her bodyguard. A slight irritation crossed her mind, that he should guard her in her own house, but she supposed she should become accustomed to having him there. Her head bent back to her studies, red glints from the lamp shining on her dark hair.

Continued in Chapter 4

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