The Captain

CHAPTER 34

Otto and Julian breakfasted upon a terrace, one outside the office which had suffered much damage in the explosion. The seared, protective dome, which could withstand most strafing blasts from atmospheric craft, had been returned to its sheath. The morning was bright, and the air crisp. The mountains, which could be seen over the terrace, were striking in the sunlight. On the tops of some distant peaks there was snow, some of which lingered throughout the year.

The breakfast was being served by a barbarian slave girl whose name was Gerune, who now wore the simple, short slave tunic which was common to women of her condition throughout the empire. When not serving she knelt to one side, to be ready if aught was desired.

She was clearly a beautiful slave, and was becoming well trained.

Earlier this morning, before breakfast, Julian and Otto had bid farewell to a citizen of the empire and his slave. They had left in a road vehicle, and the citizen had had in his possession new papers, which were excellently done,. and unlikely to provoke suspicion at almost any checkpoint. His purse was also filled with coins and certain letters of credit, and introduction. He wore clothing of a sort common in the empire, at least among the upper honestori, the patricians and such, a tunic and robe. These were not ostentatious and were not likely to attract undue attention. The slave who accompanied him wore slave garb, in this case, Serian slave leather, which her master had picked out for her. This was a combination of garment and harness, which held her hands buckled in cuffs behind her. She was also leashed, which leash ran to the ring on the thick leather collar, part of the harnesslike garment. No identificatory papers were required for her, no more than for any other animal. There was, however, required for her, a health certificate. This was kept by the master. It primarily attested that, at the time of the preparation of the certificate, the slave had been found free of communicable disease. She might, thus, be legally transported among worlds.

Julian and Otto looked up from their coffees, as I shall call them. One, favored by Julian, was feldis, a steaming, bluish-black liquid brewed from the feldis lichen. It was popular in the navy, particularly on long interstellar flights. He did not care greatly for kemac, brewed from the stewing of kemac leaves, popular at the court. The other, sipped by Otto, was oris, a bitter, black fluid generally served hot, as well. It was brewed from the oris root, found only on Sybyl II. It was expensive, and rare. Otto did not find the taste displeasing. Many, and diverse, thought Otto, are the riches of the empire.

“Slaves,” announced the guard.

He had approached, being preceded by two slaves, Renata and Flora. They were naked, and each had a whip tied about their neck, and their hands were thonged behind them. They both knelt, head down, before the table.

Each, as we may recall, had been consigned to duties in the house. In this regard, they were both now being presented before Julian. Julian put down his coffee.

“Was Renata satisfactory?” Julian asked the guard, he to whom Renata’s custody had been given the preceding evening.

“Yes, milord,” said the guard.

“She worked well?”

“Yes, milord.”

“And did you require slave use from her?”

“Yes, milord.”

“How was she?”

“A slave, milord,” he said.

“Totally?”

“Yes, milord.”

“Excellent,” said Julian. He then regarded the kneeling Flora. “As I recall, my dear,” he said, “you were sent last night with a light supper to the room of my friend, Otto, and were to see to his comfort and needs.”

“Yes, Master,” she said.

“Was everything satisfactory?” Julian asked Otto.

“Yes,” he said.

“And did you require slave use from her?”

“Yes,” said Otto.

“How was she?” asked Julian.

“She is already muchly needful,” said Otto. “And I think that, in a matter of even days, she will be helplessly so, and will crawl, and whine and beg, and will do anything for the touch of a master.”

“You found her satisfactory then?” said Julian.

“Yes,” said Otto, “for a new slave, one whose slave flower was only recently plucked, one at this stage in her development and training.”

“Excellent,” said Julian. He then turned to the guard. “Take the slaves away,” he said. “To the kitchen.”

“Yes, milord,” said the man.

The two slaves rose quickly to their feet, and turned about.

“Wait,” said Otto.

The party hesitated.

“That one,” said Otto. “Give her ten lashes in the kitchen.”

Both slaves trembled.

“The one with dark hair,” said Otto.

Renata visibly relaxed and Flora stiffened, in bewilderment, and apprehension.

“You were not satisfied?” inquired Julian.

“That is not it,” said Otto. “It is merely to remind her that she is a slave.”

“Excellent,” said Julian.

He then waved his hand, and the party left the terrace, the slaves preceding their guard.

“She will doubtless be twice as diligent tonight,” said Julian.

“When I next call her,” said Otto. “Tonight, I think I will call Renata.”

The men then returned to their coffees.

“Abrogastes will grow ever more dangerous,” said Julian.

“You would have me recruit on Tangara, among the Otungs,” said Otto.

The Otungs were one of the five tribes of the Vandal nation. They are not to be confused with the Ortungs, which was a secessionist tribe from the Drisriaks, one of the eleven traditional tribes of the Alemanni.

“Yes, but alas,” said Julian, “for my hopes in this matter have been frustrated by the long delay in the delivery of your commission.”

“In what way?” asked Otto, puzzled.

“The time is no longer ripe,” said Julian, wearily. “It had to have been done earlier.”

“Why?” asked Otto.

“Because, on Tangara, among the Otungs,” said Julian, gravely, “this is now the Killing Time.”

“I have heard of that,” said Otto.

“It is too dangerous to go there at such a time,” said Julian.

“I will leave immediately,” said Otto.

“As you wish,” said Julian.