by Sam Barone
That sounded wise to Esk kar, and he was about to agree before he managed to get hold of his tongue. Let others speak first, Trella kept telling him. Listen to what they say before you speak, and you’ll know better what to say yourself.
Corio’s voice rose once again. “Yes, by the gods, I’ve already been slowed down by interruptions and people wandering in and out of the work areas, asking stupid questions. Each day it grows worse. It’s hard to keep men working when newcomers stand there gawking.”
Murmurs of agreement sounded around the table. “We’re risking all that we have,” Nicar said, “to save Orak. These strangers owe nothing to us or to the village. Let us take those who we want and send the others away.”
“Fight, work, or move on,” Esk kar said quietly. “That’s what we’ve been saying, and it’s the choice we’ll offer those who can help us. We can establish a camp for the newcomers at the old village site to the south. They can stay there until they decide to move on. That will keep them out of Orak.”
The first people to settle in Orak had dug a well about two miles to the south and lived there for many years before moving the village to its current site.
“More guards will be needed at the gates and at the old site,” Jalen suggested. “And you’ll need more patrols in the countryside.”
Esk kar smiled at that. “We already have over a hundred and eighty men under arms, and well — trained men, too. Another sixty are in training and will be ready in a few weeks. Now that we’ve enough men available, we can increase the number under training.”
“Are you certain you’ll have enough men?” Nicar voiced everyone’s concern.
“Yes, Nicar, I’m sure of it now. I want to have three hundred and fifty men ready to defend Orak, with another five hundred villagers behind them to help fight and carry loads. With that many men, I can hold Orak as long as the wall stands and the food holds out. But I think we’ll need another fifty fighters to send across the river.”
Nestor looked puzzled. “Why send men across the river when they’re needed here?”
“To guard your livestock, Noble. All the spare cattle, sheep, and horses must be moved out of the village and the countryside. We won’t have food or space to keep them here anyway, and the stink and filth would be un-bearable. Besides, the barbarians will learn that we have no livestock here.
It will make them less eager to fight. Remember, gold is not so important to them. Horses first, then animals, then women, that’s how they think. So we send all our beasts away, across the river and to the west, with fifty men to guard them.”
Esk kar reached out and pulled the map toward him, putting his finger on the spot indicating the main barbarian camp. “Jalen, when do you think the barbarians will arrive? Do we have enough time?”
“Based on what I saw and heard, I think they will arrive here in two months or so at the earliest. Raiding parties could be here sooner, of course, but I don’t think that’s their plan. They’re moving slowly, taking their time, enjoying their conquests. They see no need to rush.”
“What if they learn we’re building a wall to stop them?” Nicar asked.
“Won’t that make them change their plans?”
Jalen shrugged. “It’s likely they’ve already heard about our wall. We found plenty of peasants up north who knew we were planning to resist.”
Esk kar pushed the map back to the center of the table. “They won’t change their plans,” he answered firmly. “They won’t believe a wall can stop them. Still, we must take no chances in case a big raiding party arrives early.” He looked at Corio. “How long before the first section is completed?”
Corio must have expected that question. “In a few days, we can seal the main entrance to Orak. The new gate will be ready in a week or so, but until then we can use wagons and men to close it.” He turned toward his eldest son, seated beside him. “Alcinor, you will make the gate functional, even if it’s not fully reinforced, as soon as possible.”
When his son nodded agreement, Corio turned back to Esk kar and the others. “We’ve already speeded up our pace on the wall’s construction.
Materials are arriving in sufficient quantity, and we’ve enough laborers, though we can always use more.” He glanced around the table as he made his commitment. “I will give you your wall at least a month early.”
“What about the ditch?” Nestor inquired. “No one speaks about starting on the ditch.”
“The ditch is the last thing we will do,” Corio said. “Esk kar and I have discussed this. With three or four hundred men, we can dig the ditch completely around Orak in a week or ten days. We’ll do that at the very last moment, so that even if the barbarians learn of the wall, they will not think it very formidable.”
Nicar looked around the table. “Is there anything else we should consider?” Everyone glanced around, but nobody had anything to add. Then Nicar saw Trella’s eyes come up to meet his. “Trella, do you wish to say something?”
She bowed humbly again. “Noble Nicar, I know you’ve discussed flooding the land alongside the village, but no work has started on that. Perhaps now we should prepare to do so in case the barbarians come early. I don’t know how long it will take or how much water will be needed.”
Apparently no one else did either, because no one spoke up. Nicar turned to Rebba, who sat there stroking his beard in thought. Rebba owned two large farms north of the village, and he’d been the original force behind draining the swamps many years ago. In matters of agriculture, he decided what crops would be grown for Orak, how much, and by whom.
His family built the largest irrigation ditches and knew more about moving water than anyone. Rebba took his time thinking, and Esk kar felt his patience about to snap before the man spoke.
“My family will work with Corio’s men to build some wooden break-waters. If we place them properly, we can divert thirty or forty feet of river into the surrounding farms. That should flood the land in less than a day and be more than enough to stop the barbarians from trying to drain the water. After a few days, the water will sink deep into the earth, and the land will return to a muddy swamp that will take months to dry out. We’ll build additional ditches to allow the water to flow where we wish it.”
“I’m sorry that your lands must be covered with water, Rebba,” Nicar answered, “but you know it must be done.”
“Don’t be sorry, old friend.” Rebba smiled resignedly. “The crops would’ve been ruined by the barbarians anyway. Instead the waters will refresh the land and afterward it will be even more fertile than before.”
Nicar’s eyes went around the table and stopped again at Trella. “Anything else, Trella?” His tone was calmer now, and his look encouraged her to speak.
“Noble Nicar, there’s one thing more that you might consider.” She paused, then went on. “When the livestock is sent across the river, you may want to include men from the village, perhaps from your own families. If anything should happen to the animals, Orak would be without food and herds for the coming season. The soldiers may be loyal, but there will be great temptation. Perhaps an equal number of villagers, under your direction, should accompany them, and rewards promised for everyone’s safe return.”
Nicar sat quietly for a moment. “Yes, that’s worth considering. There will be a rich value of livestock and grain, and if it’s not returned safely, Orak will face starvation. We will speak further about it.” He glanced around the table, but no one seemed to have any more words. “Then we’re finished with our meeting. Again, let’s give thanks to the gods for Jalen’s safe return.”
And for his information, Esk kar added to himself. He left the house, his commanders following, and he invited them to dine with him.
Bantor, Jalen, and Sisuthros headed off on their separate ways, but Gatus walked with Esk kar and Trella, though they went in the opposite direction to Gatus’s house. When they were alone in the street, Gatus jerked his head toward Esk kar’s bodyguard to move him out of earshot. Then
he grabbed Esk kar by the arm.
“Captain,” he began, moving close to Esk kar, then turning to include Trella. “I’m not sure whether you saw the look on young Caldor’s face when Trella spoke out. I could just catch a glimpse of him seated behind his father. The puppy was hot with anger when his father put him down.”
Gatus scratched his beard. “Well, if looks could kill, young Trella here would already be in the ground.” He looked worried. “You’d better watch him, Esk kar. I wouldn’t put it past him to do some hurt to you or Trella.”
“Gatus, thank you for your concern,” Trella answered kindly. “And for your warning. We’ll be watchful.”
“Good. And if needs be, I can have one of my rogues put a blade in his back. I’ll even do it myself. Just let me know.” He nodded to Esk kar. “Till dinner, then,” and went on his way, striding down the street.
Esk kar looked thoughtfully at Trella, then put his arm around her.
They started walking back to their house, his guard moving in a few steps behind. “Mistress Trella,” he said, echoing the title of honor given to the senior woman of a household. “I see we have much to talk about this evening. Much, it seems, goes on that I know little about.”
“When you have much to say at night, then I know I will be sore the next morning. Though you’ve been too busy and too tired for me lately.”
“Then I’ll have to make time for you. Perhaps you should make sure tonight’s dinner is short and our guests depart early. Afterward, we’ll have plenty of time to… talk.”
“Yes, master.” But she took his hand and held it until they entered the courtyard of the former House of Drigo.
12
It took little effort to keep dinner brief that evening. Jalen, weary from his journey and eager to return to the girl he’d started bedding just before his mission north, left the table first. Gatus and the others took the hint from Annok — sur. Jalen’s news interested everyone, but once he left, nobody really wanted to linger.
Esk kar found Trella in the kitchen, helping the cook and Annok — sur clean up. He took her by the hand and led her up the flight of stairs that hugged the wall and gave access to the second floor. At the top, covered by a linen curtain, was a small privy containing a large chamber pot. This allowed the servants to empty the container without disturbing the master at his work.
A marvel of construction, the upper level of Drigo’s home boasted many wonderful features not even Nicar’s house possessed. A stout door led into a good — sized room Drigo used for his private workroom. It now contained a large table, an impressive cupboard, six chairs, and a smaller table.
From the workroom another heavy door provided the only entry to the bedroom. The bed chamber’s size, nearly twenty — five feet long by twenty wide, had astonished Esk kar. Four small openings, spaced evenly and high up on the two outer walls, provided light and air. Not even a child could crawl through them. A narrow window, covered by a thick shutter and fastened with two beams, provided the only means of escape in case of fi re.
The shutter would take more effort to force than the door.
A coil of stout rope waited in a decorative clay pot beneath the window for use in an emergency, and the opening could be observed and guarded from the interior courtyard below. Drigo had taken care in building his private rooms, to ensure no one could enter or eavesdrop on his private bedroom activities or conversations.
All this effort now benefited Esk kar, as they passed through the workroom into the bedroom making sure to fasten each door. For the first time in his life, he had something more valuable than gold-privacy. He could speak and be assured that no one could hear.
He took her in his arms and held her, looking down at her face and breathing in the scent of her hair. “Trella… all day I’ve wanted to hold you, to thank you for your words at Nicar’s table. You make everything possible, and now even the Families listen when you speak.”
Her hands went around his neck, and her face pressed itself to his breast. “You said you wanted to talk, master,” teasing him with the slave’s salutation. “Or did you bring me here for other reasons?”
Once again she’d roused him with a few words and the press of her body. “I think… we will talk later.” He took off her dress, pulling it slowly up over her head, enjoying the sight and feel of her body against his.
She spoke the truth earlier. Three days had passed since he’d taken her, a length of time that suddenly seemed far too long.
“Then… we should make haste,” she whispered, loosening his belt and letting it drop to the floor. She helped remove his tunic, her desire no less than his.
Esk kar guided her gently down into the bed and ran his hands over her, taking his time, forcing himself to hold back while he aroused her, wanting her pleasure as much as his own.
He’d never done such things before. Until Trella he’d cared little whether any of his women felt much of anything. He’d heard such things described, and men told stories of women who enjoyed lovemaking as much as their men, stories he had previously dismissed as lies or soldier’s tales. Whatever magic Trella possessed, she brought to him something special, something that increased the love act and made it better than simple coupling. He resolved to keep it that way.
Later he lay there, relaxed, resting on clean pillows and a soft linen mattress filled with cotton and feathers. A small lamp provided just enough light to see. Trella left the bedroom and when she returned, she carried a tray holding a water pitcher and two glass goblets.
The expensive glass cups, rare and hard to fashion, came as a gift from one of many merchants seeking favors. Esk kar drank gratefully, but Trella drank only half of hers, then poured what remained onto a cloth. She used that to wipe Esk kar’s brow, then rubbed down his chest and wiped clean his genitals. Turning the cloth over, she rubbed down her own breasts and loins as well. When she finished, she snuggled against him, pulling the blanket up over them.
He loved the way she looked after him, almost as if he were a child.
“You know, Trella, this life is very good. We’ve a fine house, servants, and gold to pay for everything. For me it’s like a dream.” His arm went around her shoulder. “And most of all, I have you.”
“And if you did not have me, you’d have some other girl in your bed. Men are much the same. My father, Nicar, the rulers of my village
… ouch!”
He pinched her to stop her words. “Yes, I’d have some other girl, but it would not be this bed. I’d be in the barracks with a dozen men grinning as they watched.”
Esk kar turned on his side to face her, serious now. “I know to whom I owe this soft bed. All this is because of you, and I’ll not forget that.” He moved the hair away from her face, then kissed her cheek. “So say what you wish even if you know it’s untrue.”
“Then you still want me,” she whispered, her voice suddenly that of a timid young girl. “Even if I’m not as pretty as the women who now cast their eyes on you?”
“Yes, more than ever.” He slapped her thigh playfully. “But you must tell me how such a young girl knows so much about lovemaking? If all the girls from Carnax are like you, then I must visit this place.” He pulled her on top of him. “Where did you learn to make a man so happy?”
She hid her face and he knew she was blushing, though the lamp barely revealed her face.
“One day my father caught me watching him take his pleasure with one of the servants. He decided that since I was so curious, I should learn how to please a man, to make sure I would be well treated by my future husband. So he had one of his slave women instruct me in the mysteries, and… I… was allowed to watch her with her husband.”
He wondered what else she’d done, not that he cared. “Your father was a wise man. He gave you a great gift, one that I will always keep close to me.” That reminded him of something unpleasant. “Now, tell me about Caldor. What about this look?”
She sat up, pulling the blanket close around her and turned
toward him.
“I saw the same look Gatus did, just for an instant. He was embarrassed by his father before everyone. The foolish boy should have kept silent. Then when I spoke and the nobles listened, he was even more angered, that I could speak when he was forbidden. He…” her voice trailed off.
Esk kar took her hand, pressed it to his lips, then squeezed it. “Yes, what else did he do?”
“When I was at Nicar’s house, Caldor wanted… he wanted me. He told me he was just waiting for his father to take me first, and then I’d be given to him. But he didn’t even want to wait for that, he wanted me to… to… get down on my knees for him.”
She stopped, the words coming hard. “I pushed him away and ran off.
I would have run from the house, but Creta grabbed me and made me tell her what happened. She must have spoken to Caldor because, after that, he only looked at me and smiled. I… I was afraid of him.”
I’ll kill him for that, Esk kar decided, but he kept his hand steady on Trella’s, so she wouldn’t know what he was feeling. He cursed himself for a fool, not to have asked her anything about her life at Nicar’s house, as if nothing that had gone on before mattered once he’d taken possession of her.
Still, he couldn’t go around killing everyone who wanted to bed Trella, since that now included most of the men in Orak. “Then what happened?”
“Nothing. A few days after that, Nicar returned from his travels. Two weeks passed, and Caldor and Lesu went off on their trip. Then you came to dinner and I was given to you.”
“And you didn’t know who was worse, the barbarian or the spoiled child,” he said lightly, glad to coax a small laugh from her. “You seemed reluctant enough to come with me. Why didn’t you tell me of this before?”
“Because I didn’t think it mattered. I’d decided anything was better than being a slave, so I planned to run away. But you were gentle and treated me with respect. After I heard you speak to the crowd that night, I decided to help you, to do as Nicar asked, but for my own reasons.”
