Premonition

by Lisa M. James

  “For whatever reason.” Kiatra repeated dully. “My sister and I have a difficult relationship. Sabrina was the daughter born of my father’s infidelity. From a young age, her mother has tried to position Sabrina as a better heir for my father than me. It has created much bitterness between us which I fear is too late to repair. We both are at fault. Once I wished for a good relationship with her but,” She shook her head and unthinkingly I squeezed her palms that were in mine trying to offer her what little comfort I could at that moment. She looked down at them and I thought to pull away, but she tightened her grip and met my eyes again. “It is too late for us. We have been pegged as adversaries for too long. I believe she would rather have me dead than restore our relationship and in honesty, I would wish for the same for her.”

  The words were hard and surprised me. I couldn’t imagine wanting a sibling dead. My heart ached at that moment for Timothy. There was a significant age difference between my brother and me but there was no one I loved more in the world than him. The last look of his face before I departed and the last words he spoke to me, I wore like a dagger to my heart.

  I believe you Isaac. I believe what you saw, even if Father and the men do not believe you, I believe you. Timothy had said firmly as I gave him a sad smile, kneeling to embrace him.

  Then I need nothing else. Take good care of mother while I’m gone. I stood but my brother had clung to my vest.

  I believe you Isaac. The boy had repeated with urgency, his almond eyes wide. I believe that this mission will fail. You should stay here! If you and father are both captured, what will mother and I do?

  The fear in the boy’s eyes were evident and I had regretted speaking about my visions so overtly that my brother knew and now worried over them. We will do all that we must to return to you both and to provide food for our people. I had said to reassure the boy. Pray that I am also right about the kindness of the leaders of the Fortress and that they will deal with us in mercy. You will pray for our safe return, won’t you? Timothy had nodded solemnly as he let go of me.

  Our mother had stood behind him and pulled him toward her. I had turned to leave before Timothy spoke his final words to me. Isaac, I don’t care what father thinks. I don’t want to be leader. I don’t want to take your place. I would never take your place.

  A longing to see him again filled me. There was no rivalry between us. Timothy accepted that the position of governor was mine. Not only that, he wanted me to lead after father. Unlike Kiatra and her sister who were divided by the thought of power and rule, my brother wished for me to govern over him. Yet, whether now or later, I knew that Kiatra had a reason to be concerned regarding her sister. I had seen it, though I didn’t quite understand what I saw. Sabrina was looking over Kiatra in a jail cell. I didn’t know how to warn my mistress. I saw so little of the actual occurrence. I only knew that someone she gave her heart to would betray her. Someone she knew for a long time.

  “Isaac.” Kiatra said sternly, bringing my focus back to her. “If my sister continues to pursue you, you will tell me. Honestly this time. As my slave, you will keep nothing from me. Do you understand?” I nodded. “Are there any other secrets you are storing?” My heart raced thinking of my visions. My father’s warnings the last ten years pounded in my head. My visions would be my ruin. I would be considered as a person with defect at the Fortress and would be treated accordingly. Yet, I longed to tell her. To share the burden with someone here. Perhaps to warn her on what I’ve seen. She seemed like a fair mistress. Certainly, she wouldn’t punish me for this defect? Certainly, she wouldn’t cast me out of her presence, or worse, have me executed because of them? I wrestled with these thoughts, but I knew I could never be truly honest with her. I could not risk it if I wished to survive here. My visions were my burden and my burden alone to carry here. I could lose this woman’s favor in an instant.

  “No, mistress. No more secrets. I swear.”

  “Good.” She dropped my hands suddenly as she stood up and walked unsteadily to a cabinet.

  “You are limping!”

  “Never mind that. You will have a new trainer today. He is a man of my own blood. He will not abuse you. He works with those who are early on in their training.”

  I stifled a groan of having to go back to the training fields so soon, as Kiatra threw a vest and trousers at me. “I will be training with children? Will that not be cause for further ridicule?”

  “It likely will. Until you get better and stronger. Then they will have nothing to ridicule you about. We will increase your training. You have been doing 10 hours, but now you will train 16. And you will come back here to me, and you will tell me everything of what was done and said to you.”

  “16 hours? When will I tend the animals?”

  “You will start your days earlier to do so. Take your midday meal in the barns if you must. I will give you one day reprieve each week to assist Mara with her duties. You have a wide gap in your skill that will never be filled but you are not hopeless.” She studied me for a moment longer before walking toward the bathing chamber. “Get dressed.” She called toward me before disappearing behind the curtain.

  Kiatra didn’t return to the main chamber. I had dressed and ate, waiting for her next command, as Mara came in. She put a hand to my face studying my closed eye. “You are healing well but your wounds will need some time. Are you in so much pain?”

  “Not so much.” I said evenly.

  She smiled thoughtfully. “Good. Our mistress was worried for you.”

  “Only our mistress?” I said with a sly smile. Throughout the last few months, the woman’s hard exterior was softening toward me. She was stern and reprimanded me fiercely if I did something wrong or was learning too slowly, but it felt more like the correction of a mother.

  “I cannot think of anyone else. You are not very well liked.” Mara said as she winked at me and put her fingers through my hair as if I was a child. “Come now. I will take you to your new trainer. You will no longer have to worry about that brute, Dante.”

  I looked toward the curtain once more, a sudden longing filling me to see Kiatra before I left. I pushed it aside and followed Mara’s quick short steps out of the chambers, through the corridor and out the main doors. She led me to an open path where I could hear high voices and bursts of laughter. When we passed the clearing, the voices and laughter silenced. Several sets of eyes landed on me. The youngest looked as little as five and the eldest could be no more than fifteen. There was a man standing a short distance away. He was muscularly built with the same bronzed skin as Kiatra, but his hair was cut closely to his scalp only revealing specs of black hair. He had similar high cheekbones and noticeably bold eyebrows, accentuated by the lack of hair on his head.

  “This is the one!” One of the older boys exclaimed. “This is Lady Kiatra’s slave!”

  “We all know who he is, Andal.” Another boy countered, before addressing me. “Are you training with us today, sir?”

  I stood dumbfounded, surprised the boy addressed me as sir.

  “Go back to sparring.” The elder man said to them. He eyed me before nodding at Mara.

  “Don’t be so hard on him. His wounds are still fresh.” Mara spoke firmly, before gentling. “Don’t be too easy either. He has much to learn and little time.” She patted me once on the back before taking her leave.

  “You have quite some bruises there. You could use a few days of good rest, but it is good that you came here. The people would expect you to stay away after such a beating, but it shows your strength to be here.” I only nodded in response. “Do you not speak? I am speaking in your native tongue, am I not?”

  “You are.” I said quickly. “I just had nothing of value to say.”

  The man smiled. “We’ll have to change that. Isaac, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “You will not address me as my lord. I am Titus. You will call no one my lord, here other than our Chief. And no my lady, or mistress, other than your mis
tress, Kiatra. No matter what anyone else says, you will not speak in subservience to them.”

  “But I’m a slave— “

  “You’re Kiatra’s slave. Which makes you the highest-ranking slave in the Fortress. You have no obligation to anyone other than her. Unless she commands it otherwise, you will only speak in such a manner to her. You will certainly never bow to anyone else, without her command. Not even to her father.”

  “Won’t it be seen as disrespect— “

  “Kiatra is our ruler. Her father has given up much of his power already since Kiatra is a woman grown and capable of taking on the responsibility.” He looked at me. “No one has means to disrespect you. Dante did wrong and now he should serve as an example to anyone else who tries to do the same.” He smiled again. “You will see there are many advantages to being in Kiatra’s service. Aim to please her only. Damned what anyone else says.”

  I sighed heavily at his words. The same words that have been repeated to me often. Aim to please her. “I don’t know what that means. To please her? I don’t know what pleases her. The woman seems to carry the same expression no matter what I do. I thought she was disappointed with me about what happened with Dante yesterday, yet today she is asking for my forgiveness. What am I supposed to take from that?”

  “That you serve a fair and compassionate master. If Kiatra is displeased with you, she will tell you straight. If she hasn’t, then you are serving her well so far. If you question it, ask her directly and she will not keep the answer from you.” I nodded trying to comprehend all of Titus’ words. “She will take an offense to you as an offense to her and she will not deal with it lightly. You must report to her if someone mistreats you. Or report it to me and I will inform Kiatra.”

  “Will it not reflect poorly on me if I go weeping to my master every time someone offends me?”

  “It will reflect that she is willing to act on your behalf. That you have her ear. Her trust. And if you act wisely, soon you will have her heart.”

  Her heart? I looked at Titus perplexed. “What do you mean?”

  “Do you know who Kiatra cares for most in this world?”

  “Her father?”

  Titus shook his head. “Mara. Her head steward. You must have noticed that very few people have the opportunity to gain intimacy with Kiatra. The woman tries to keep walls around her harder and stronger than the walls surrounding our home. Yet, Mara has always been able to break through them. She is not submissive or meek or gentle with her words, yet she has been in the service of Kiatra and her mother before her for nearly 40 years. She has Kiatra’s heart and trust. She is obedient yet honest in her dealings with Kiatra. Her disapproval for decisions is clear though she never disrespects her mistress. Her opinion matters to Kiatra. I’ve seen Kiatra devastated for days when that woman disapproves of her actions. She has proven to be a trusted confidant and Kiatra loves her in full measure.” He looked at me for a moment, considering me before speaking again. “If you act wisely, you have been given the opportunity to do the same. Earn Kiatra’s trust. Mirror Mara and you will do quite well here. It may not seem so now when you are just removed from everything you know and everyone you love, but you have been given a unique privilege.”

  I nodded slowly, debating if I could trust this man. His demeanor as a whole was kinder and gentler than Dante, but that didn’t mean he had any real care for my well-being. “What are the usual fates of people taken into slavery? Ones who are not chosen by Kiatra?”

  “Some are taken into service by others as personal slaves and caretakers, looking after household chores, children, cattle and such. Most are turned into laborers working the field. None stay in their master’s homes, and certainly not their chambers, eating from their mistress’s hand.” He smiled slightly before his expression sobered. “There are several areas that house the slaves. They live together. There is little privacy, but they are clothed and well fed. Abusing a slave is a punishable offense, though less harsh then a slave in your position.” He studied me for a moment. “Yet, they are granted some privileges that you are not. Has Kiatra spoken to you of your restrictions?”

  “Yes.” I said slowly, not wanting to think of it. “I will know no woman other than her.”

  To my surprise Titus gave a bark of a laugh. “Other than her? She’s given you permission to take to her bed?”

  “No, that’s not what I meant—I misspoke.” I stammered and felt the heat rise to my face, remembering waking up by her side. “I meant she should be the only woman in my life. I can’t take a wife. I can’t father children. I can’t court a woman.”

  “Court a woman? Aren’t you a gentle creature?” Titus’ laugh settled slightly as he continued to speak. “Other slaves are not told to refrain from such things. Some catch the eyes of free people and marry them. Most marry each other and start families within the slave houses. Children born to slaves are free and Kiatra ensures they are provided for. So after a day of drudgery many return home to a family they love. It’s not such a horrible life. And once their sentence is served, they can choose a trade that is more pleasing to them.”

  My ears peaked up at his words. “What do you mean, once their sentence is served? Is there a way to earn my freedom?”

  Titus’ face looked confused for a moment before an expression of regret came across it. He quickly regained composure. “It’s as I said. Learn to please your master. Enough of that. Where is your staff?”

  I opened my mouth to say more but thought against it. “I don’t have a staff. I would always borrow one when training.”

  Titus gave a rough sigh in response to this. “You should have your own staff. I will have one wielded for you but for now use this one.” He threw the one in his hand at me. “Show me what you have been taught?”

  “Mostly how to protect my face and my manhood.” Titus’ wide smile covered his face again.

  “Well that’s a good start, but by focusing on that you leave other areas quite vulnerable. Have you learned any stances?”

  “Indirectly. That was not the focus of Dante’s teaching. But I observed how some of the other men stood.” I put one foot before the other slightly angled out. Titus studied the position and shoved me once on my right shoulder, sending me immediately off balance.

  “Not quite right.” Titus said without arrogance. “Andal! Come here. Show us the proper resting stance while holding your staff.”

  The boy approached us and did a stance moving his feet slightly wider than mine had been and bending his knees slightly. Titus shoved the boy back on his shoulder but Andal was able to keep balance. “Good.” Titus said. “Now you. Again.” He told me. The day continued on that way with small positions and simple maneuvers. Titus would use the young men to help me learn. There was a distinct difference in the attitude of the children compared to the men I had trained with. There were no mocking words when I dropped my staff or tripped over myself in an ill attempt to repeat an action. They were supportive of my efforts. They seemed to be elated when I did something correctly.

  They were completely fascinated that I served Kiatra. When Titus dismissed us to take a midday meal, the boys would inundate me with questions about Kiatra.

  “How is it to serve in her presence?”

  “Is she a kind master?”

  “Do you think she’ll choose a husband?”

  By the end of the day, I felt more of a sense of acceptance than I felt since I first came.

  “That’s enough for today.” Titus finally told us. I stayed where I was as the others left, remembering Kiatra had told me I would train for longer hours. “That’s enough for you as well. We need to readdress your wounds. Some opened up again. I will walk you back. Take the staff with you.” I gripped it with blistered fingers. Yet I was proud of them. For the first time since I started training, I felt as if I made some progress.

  “Have you had any weapons training in your home?”

  “Weapons? Well not to actually hurt another man, but I am quite good wi
th a bow and arrow. I collected a lot of fowl for my village.”

  “Hmmmm.” Titus nodded in thought as we started to walk back to the Fortress. “Good. If we only focus on hand to hand combat, it will be hopeless. The men here will always have more experience than you, but distance,” He nodded again. “Not many train for that. Bows and arrows and dagger throwing we will make your specialty.”

  We continued in silence as I wished I could jump years into my training when I had already mastered these arts. The fear of being an utter disappointment here as I was in my village, overwhelmed me. I walked silently by Titus’ side. “Thank you.” I said simply.

  “For?” Titus said with a raised eyebrow.

  I shrugged. “You’ve treated me with kindness. Today was the first day I didn’t feel like a complete outsider.” Titus nodded slowly as if considering my words.

  “Don’t tell your mistress I treated you kindly.” He smiled slightly. “Tell her I am stern and fair. It will bode better for both of us.” I nodded in agreement but stopped suddenly seeing three men conversing a distance away. The vision I had as I slept came back to my mind. The same scene was before me but from a distance the men looked to simply be counting money.

  “What is it?” Titus said curiously.

  “Do you know those men?”

  Titus studied them for a moment before nodding. “Yes. They are tax collectors. You may have seen someone in their party visit your village over the years.” I stayed still observing them. “What’s your interest in them?”

  I shook my head and started walking again. “Nothing. They just looked familiar.” Titus looked at me a moment, a question rising in his eyes, but he continued walking in line with me.

  Kiatra was waiting with Mara in her chambers when we returned. She stood quickly when we entered. “Mistress.” I spoke firmly, kneeling before her. She only looked a moment at me before nodding at Titus. He nodded in return as if a hidden agreement was between them. She brushed passed us without addressing me and left the chambers.