by Samuel Fort
Chapter 15: Persipia’s Lamentations
The two women stood in Persipia’s suite at the window overlooking the courtyard.
“Here,” said Fiela, extending a hand to the consort. There was a pill in her palm. “It is a painkiller. It is very strong.”
The other woman took it and Fiela handed her a glass of water. “I am told that such drugs also improve one’s sense of well-being, but they are addictive. You must be careful. A have a bottle of them I will give you before I leave.”
The woman swallowed the pill. “This is a narcotic?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve taken those before, Annasa. Surely you must have, also? You’ve been badly injured in your fights with the Maqtu.”
“No,” said Fiela, “I do not take painkillers. Not voluntarily.”
Persipia wondered how it was that someone who had been shot, stabbed, and cut so many times could have made it this far without painkillers. Most mortals would panic if they ran out of ibuprofen – at least in the old world. She said, “Thank you for this.”
“Did my sister draw blood?”
“A very little.”
Fiela cocked a brow. “Why did you come to me? How did you know that I would not turn you over to her?”
Persipia shrugged. “The pain is terrible. Unbearable, truly. What was I to do? I have no allies here, Annasa. You are aware of my past. Even those who bow to me because of my station secretly resent my presence. You brought me hot tea when I arrived, near death, and ensured the king was aware of my presence. Had you not done that I might have been publicly whipped in the Great Hall upon my arrival. You have been very kind to me.”
Fiela said reproachfully, “Two acts of charity do not make me your confidant. You should not have presumed additional kindness.”
“I had no choice, Annasa.”
Fiela glowered at the woman, but seeing her dejected state, her expression softened. “There is a salve in the bag with the painkillers. If you run out, tell me and I will get you more. How often does she use the rod against you?”
“Perhaps twice week, before she retires. In her private quarters.”
“The Queen’s Suite.”
“Yes.”
“She limits her strikes to your…um, your backside?”
“She does not want the king to see the evidence. Otherwise I am certain she would stripe my entire body.”
“You have only yourself to blame, then. Were you a proper consort, my husband would see your entire body on a regular basis. You have not been to our bed even once!”
“He will not invite me! He thinks I am Lilitu’s toy only.”
“He has the same appetites as most men,” Fiela huffed, “and you are perhaps the most beautiful woman here, aside from my sister. Some would say you are more beautiful. Just walk into his study and drop your robe.”
“Lilitu has prohibited me from approaching the king alone. She says this is in deference to his morality. She says he does not want a consort and that I will be severely punished if I attempt to use my ‘gifts’ to entrap him. She intends to keep me as her personal slave.”
Fiela thought for a moment before saying, “I could go to his study and arouse him, and then lead him to the King’s Suite while you and Lilitu are doing your thing. I think he would respond in an appropriate way.”
“Gods, no, please! He would find me in an unspeakable position, tears, mascara, and snot plastered all over my face, and freshly blistered! How could that end well?”
“That’s true,” mumbled the girl, looking deflated.
After an awkward silence, Persipia said quietly, “Is she as callous with you?”
“What?”
“You do have relations with her.”
“Oh. She has never been cruel to me,” the girl lied. “She’s got a crazy crush on me, but I’m like ninety-nine percent straight. I only tend to her because I love her and it makes her happy. We have not been intimate since you arrived. You are a fine distraction.”
“A distraction,” Persipia said unhappily.
“How long are the sessions?”
“She uses the rod until she can no longer control her lust. At first I sought to maintain my dignity and to remain stoic but she is quite skilled. Patient.” Persipia sighed. “Anyway, I have learned that my pleas arouse her, and thus shorten the sessions, so now I abandon all thought of resistance.”
The girl nodded her approval. “That is a wise strategy.” She gave the woman a curious look. “Persy, you were raised to be sereti. Did you not get any training in such activities?”
“No, Annasa!” replied the woman, astonished. “We are trained to manage the domestic affairs of nobles. I should not be beaten for recreation. I am not a fetch!”
“You begged my sister for a position as consort.”
“It was all she offered!”
Fiela was unmoved. “Persy, you are free to give up your post and live as a regular citizen anytime you wish. I think you do not because you like to wear fancy clothes and jewelry and to be seen always at the side of the king or queen.”
“Is it wrong to desire what I have always been told would be my life?”
“No, but surely you comprehend the price. First, you are a traitor. Second, you must have known of my sister’s reputation before agreeing to be her companion. Her sadism is legendary.”
“She might kill me, Annasa! Her eyes are terrifying when she has the rod. What if she loses control of herself? What am I to do?”
“I don’t know.” Fiela looked out the window for a moment. “Would it be better if I were there?”
“There? You mean, during?”
“Yes. I think Lilitu would like that, actually. She’s kind of a voyeur.”
“You wish to watch the queen whip me?”
“Yuck! Of course not. I take no joy in torture. I would only be there to restrain my sister if she got carried away. That’s what you’re worried about, right? I wouldn’t see anything. I would bring a book to read.”
“You would read a book as I was tortured in front of you?”
Fiela looked confused. “I thought you did not want me to watch.”
“Yet you would hear my screams!”
“Oh, no problem. I’ll bring my music with me. You must keep your screams down, though. My ears are very sensitive and the earplugs-”
“I do not wish it!” exclaimed Persipia. “It would increase my humiliation a thousand fold!”
Fiela threw her hands into the air. “You do not like any of my ideas! Why am I even trying to help you?”
Persipia lowered her voice and said soothingly, “I do appreciate your attempts to help me, Annasa. Truly. Your sensitivities are very different from mine, however. I have only a sliver of self-respect left and I should like to keep it. It is difficult enough for me to discuss this with you. Having you watch…” She shivered.
Minimally appeased, Fiela turned to leave, mumbling, “Whatever. Anyway, if you need more painkillers, or your wounds tended, go to the nursing station and ask for a woman named Ruth. She can be trusted to keep your secret a secret.”
