They missed Emmy’s deadline by over two minutes, but everyone in the room was so aroused that they quickly made excuses to get back to their homes, their slaves, and their own relief. The boys hustled with Donnie to the quarters, and Hank and Marcy collected their wasted slave and walked home.
Rylee lay on the carpet in dazed humiliation, with the taste of her mother still on her tongue. Guilt bombarded her, as she realized how little she had even thought about what had become of her since they were brought to the settlement. At least she knew she was near, and that she was managing to survive. The only way that could happen was if Hank was showing her mother a little restraint. Rylee was fully aware of her mother’s fragile nature.
Carlton and Emmy led her to bed, and after Rylee performed her duties, she lay at their feet while they gasped and groaned, twisted and clutched, and thrust for over an hour.
Cass had her devices for Marcy delivered, and enjoyed trying each of them out. It was a little upsetting that the woman complied quickly with orders and that she had to hold back on punishments. As it turned out, the woman was as passionate as her daughter and easily aroused, so Cass enjoyed tormenting her with withheld climaxes.
Rylee had been listening to Carlton and Emmy discuss the upcoming celebration. None of what she overheard made much sense, other than she learned she would be traveling away from the settlement. Brian and Steven were discussing it in the yard while Rylee collected vegetables. Steven was called into the house, and Brian walked over to her.
His eyes were shining, and Rylee prepared to deliver whatever relief he ordered. “We’re leaving in a couple of weeks,” he said.
“Yes, Master.”
“To the celebration where all the clans and their slaves get together,” he informed her. A thought came to him, and he added, “It gives them a chance to trade in the ones that aren’t working out, before winter sets in.” He saw her nervous reaction. “Just thought you might want to prepare yourself.” Brian walked away, leaving her open mouthed and staring.
Rylee had so much time to torment herself with her own thoughts, and many times her imagination had heightened the anticipation of a dreaded event to colossal proportions. Why would Brian tell me that? Do Emmy or Carlton want a better trained slave? Perhaps, they want one that is pretty and tall instead of my tiny stature. No, I am sure I am doing what they want. God, what if they trade me? Away from my mother? To someone at the frightening north clan?
Steven came banging through the door to collect her for lunch, and found her kneeling with her hands in her lap and twisting her braid in her fingers. Tears were flowing down her cheeks and she was racked with silent sobs. “What’s wrong?” he demanded.
His groin tightened when her shiny crystal eyes looked up at him with the sorrowful weight of the world. “Nothing, Master.”
“Don’t fucking lie to me. You’re sitting there in a puddled mess.” Steven thought for a minute. Brian had been out there with her; maybe he hurt her. “What the hell did Brian do to you?”
“Nothing, Master.”
Steven saw her eyes shift, and knew he had assumed the correct source of her distress. “What did he say to you?”
Rylee bit her lip, and sobbed, “He said the Master might trade me when we get to the celebration. He told me to prepare myself.”
“What the fuck? We don’t trade slaves except during the summer, unless they shut down or something.” Steven stormed back into the house. The next thing Rylee heard was the two boys crashing through the back door and landing on the grass. Steven had Brian pinned underneath him and screamed, “You better stop fucking with her head like that.”
Emmy and Carlton came bursting through the door next, and Carlton grabbed Steven’s shoulders and pulled him off his brother. “Geeze, Steven,” Brian gasped. “I was just having a little fun with her.
Emmy looked over and saw Rylee watching the fight, with her wet cheeks and fidgeting fingers. “Brian, what did you say to your father’s slave?”
Brian ignored her and said to his brother, “What the hell has gotten into you?” The two had covered for each other and enjoyed the same interests since they were kids.
“Answer your mother, Brian.” Carlton’s eyes were narrowing, and Brian knew he was in trouble.
“I was just kidding around with her, dad. I told her you might trade her at the celebration. Heck, you should be happy with how she got all teary eyed at the thought of having to leave,” Brian answered.
“Into the house. Now, Brian.” Carlton released Steven, and Brian shoved into him when he followed his father inside. “Brian, what was the point of telling the girl that?”
“It was just a little fun, dad. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“You are not allowed to do anything to my property without permission. Your mother had plans for her this afternoon, and now she’s going to have to unwind the psychological mess you’ve created. All of your actions have consequences, Brian. You are not to go near the girl again. I don’t even want you talking with her.”
Brian’s mouth fell open. “But she belongs to the family.”
“No, Brian. She belongs to me.”
Emmy was sitting in a chair and Rylee was kneeling in front of her. Steven hovered in the background. What a mess. She certainly owed the girl no explanations, but if she thought she was being traded, she might give up. She decided to leave her response brief. “You are not being traded, Rylee.” She was surprised at the relief on the girl’s face. She had bonded very well with the family. Maybe the situation with Alma had facilitated her response. The situation between Steven and Brian was another matter. She was wondering what their reaction would be when they heard the news at the celebration.
Brian tended to avoid the house except for meals and sleep. It pissed him off that Steven still got to use the girl and he had to go to the quarters for relief. Cameron’s son, Bobby, became his new best friend. They were the same age, and Brian became the leader of the pair. Eventually, the twins called a truce and Steven would join them on some of their trips to town where they were learning the responsibilities of one day ruling the clan.
The day to leave for the celebration had arrived, and Rylee was allowed to follow behind Carlton’s horse without the lead. Her mind already registered that this was a reward of sorts for their trust in her. Emmy even told her she could break position and raise her eyes while her hands swung at her sides. She enjoyed walking through the woods and looking at deer and other animals in the high mountain forest.
The boys of the clan that were old enough traveled with the Quarter Master to watch the slaves. The girl’s were linked by their collars and traveled behind John, and the boys each had two men, bound at the wrists and on a lead attached to their saddles. For Steven and Brian, it did not seem that long ago when they used to jealously watch the men Donnie’s age as they received the honor.
Rylee was left unsecured at night to sleep on a blanket by Emmy and Carlton’s feet. Occasionally, she had to service them, but Steven and Brian stayed with the slaves from the quarters. At odd moments, Rylee found herself looking for them. Once or twice during her scan, she would find Steven returning her gaze, and she thought she saw him almost smile at her once.
One afternoon, Emmy began giving her instructions. “You are to remember your positions and do what is asked without hesitation.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
“Everything, Rylee. Carlton is head patriarch, and if you embarrass me you will pay dearly.”
Rylee began to get nervous. She always did what they asked. “Yes, Mistress.” The warnings continued until the trail opened up and they were approaching a fortress of a camp. It was surrounded on three sides by rocky cliffs, and most of the settlers had made homes in the caves. It was a strange sight, and Rylee was fascinated. There was one big garden off to the side where the sun shone most of the day. A waterfall splashed into a large pond, and Rylee saw several slaves bathing on the shore.
A man walked up to greet them, and R
ylee recognized him as the man who had taken Richard. “Carlton, you’re second to arrive. South clan made it in yesterday. I’m sorry to hear about Alma. Her methods of working a slave will always be legend. How’s Jordon doing?”
“Pretty good. He decided to watch the settlement, and I told him I’d try to pick something up for him while we were here,” Carlton answered. “I’m going to let Emmy handle that, because she’ll have to help the girl get adjusted when we get home.”
“I don’t have anything he’d want. Oh, and thanks for that little witch you sent up here,” Aaron chuckled. “She’s been most entertaining.”
Carlton winced. “I should have taken care of her myself, but I was ready to throttle her.”
“I guess John told the ranger some of her antics and how she set your slave up.” Aaron looked over Carlton’s shoulder to see Rylee looking around curiously. “I’m glad she’s okay. How has she worked out for you?”
“Very well. You’ll get to see first hand when the festivities begin,” Carlton replied.
Emmy scanned the slaves, and asked, “What did you end up doing with Amber?”
“She is one boring bitch,” Aaron laughed. “It’s too bad, because she has a good look about her. She’s taking care of one of the elite crew in the quarters, and has six men to keep her occupied. Sometimes we use her in contests to see which girl can hold out the longest, but she’s always the predictable winner.”
They rode over to where the clan was to set up, and the quarter slaves began to erect the tents and stoke the fire pits. Emmy turned towards Rylee and handed her some soap. “Go on down to the pond and clean up. You have about an hour before we’re set up.” Rylee shuffled her feet. “What is it?” Emmy said with her eyes narrowed.
“Am I allowed to talk to anyone, Mistress?” Rylee wanted to ask the other slaves what their settlements were like.
Emmy put her hands on the girl’s shoulders and whispered, “That’s why I’m giving you an hour. Behave yourself.” It was the first time Emmy had seen the girl smile.
“Yes, Mistress. I will. Thank you, Mistress.”
“Go. One hour. Don’t make me have to come after you.”
“No, Mistress. Thank you, Mistress.” Rylee walked quickly to the pond.
Carlton watched her walk away and asked Emmy what she said to her. “She’s curious, Carlton. It’s a good opportunity for her to learn about the other settlements.”
“You might want to check with Aaron’s Quarter Master to find out where Tammy is,” he suggested.
“Oh shit, I forgot about her.” Emmy hurried to the shacks at the end of the caves. She returned a half hour later and kissed him. “Tammy is being kept occupied.”
Rylee stepped into the water. It was freezing, and she realized how lucky she was to be settled further south. “It’s easier if you just jump in,” a girl called to her.
“It’s so cold.” Rylee tried another step.
“I hate when it’s the north’s turn. In the south, it heats up to almost seventy in the summer.” The girl splashed over to her. “I’m Karen.”
“Rylee. How long have you been at the south settlement?”
“Seven years. It’s a weird ass place, too.”
Rylee shivered as she tried to go deeper, and Karen grabbed her hand and pulled her in. “Oh… oh shit… oh shit, it’s cold,” Rylee squealed.
“Dunk on three,” Karen laughed.
The girls went under, and while Rylee washed her hair she noticed the chill did subside a little. Karen told her about the strange experiments that went on at the south, but it seemed like the basic structure of the settlement was the same. A few more people from the south joined them, and they seemed impressed that Rylee was Carlton’s slave.
“You know he’s the leader,” one of them said.
“Yes, I guess he took over the west from his father,” Rylee answered.
“No, he’s the leader of all of it,” the girl told her.
Rylee did not know that, and Emmy’s nervousness began to make more sense. The other slaves seemed to admire her position and she began to feel curiously proud.
The slaves from the north clan stayed together under the watchful eye of a guard, over to the right of the pond in the cold waters in the shade. Karen caught her looking at them. “Those are the discards,” she wrinkled her nose, “the ones that nobody selected or cause problems. I have a few friends from the east and I’ll introduce you when they get in. They’re almost always the last to arrive.”
They talked a while longer and Rylee said, “I have to get back. Emmy only gave me an hour, and I think it’s about up. I hope we get to talk again.” She waved and trudged out of the water.
Emmy said, “Good, ten minutes to spare.” She handed her the brush and a tie. “I guess the east is only about fifteen minutes out, so it’s going to be crowded in a little while. I saw Karen. She looks well.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
“Karen is the lead patriarch of the south’s slaves, so it doesn’t surprise me that she would want to meet you. Is she trying to enamor you with life to the south?”
“No, Mistress. She said they do weird experiments down there, and it’s a bunch of doctors.” Rylee almost added that she did not like the one doctor she already had contact with. “She also told me that the Master was the leader for all the settlements.”
Emmy almost laughed at her look of suspicion. “I told you that already, Rylee.”
“I thought you meant the leader of our settlement, Mistress.” Rylee thought about Carlton being the one in charge at the lodge. She tried to remember the faces of the other patriarchs, but she could only remember Aaron.
There was some commotion, and the clan from the east came riding through the trees. “I think they arrive last to make sure everyone notices them,” Emmy murmured.
That evening, the people of the settlements had dinner and wandered around talking with each other. The patriarchs stayed together at one end of the clearing, and Rylee knelt between Carlton and Emmy while the leaders talked. A few people came up to Emmy to show her possible slaves for Jordon. She was being selective, as it would cost them an acquisition next summer. Aaron offered to give them a credit on Tammy, and Carlton turned it down.
Rylee was watching the leaders and their wives, and although most of the wives were gossiping or making comments to Emmy about her choices, some of the wives were remaining silent and attentive to their husbands. Phillip’s wife, Arianna, was one of the quiet ones, and although she would look at the slaves presented to Emmy, she never made a comment.
A slightly older woman was brought forward. She had a pretty face and tight body, but there was a sadness about her. Rylee thought she remembered the cowboy from the lodge. “Emmy, this is Brenda. Raise your eyes, girl.” Her sad brown stare looked at Emmy. “Brenda was bonded to Mark for twelve years.”
“I heard your father had passed. I’m sorry Jeffery,” Emmy replied warmly. She leaned forward to study the young woman.
“She’s well trained, Emmy, and her melancholy is mostly due to dad being gone. I think it might help her to change settlements, and she’s already used to caring for an older man, though not a patriarch.”
“They don’t always handle changing camps when they have been here so long,” Emmy offered.
“I think the change is what she needs. She was real good to my father, and for the last couple of years he was bedridden.”
Emmy looked at her, noticing her eyes were swelling with tears. She obviously had deep affection for her older Master, and Emmy glanced at Arianna who sat stoically peaceful, next to Phillip. It reminded her how some of the bondings worked out very well. She refocused her attention on the slave. “Brenda, do you mind changing settlements?” She did not think that Jordon needed the added complication if they were going to have to fight her assimilation.
“No Mistress. It’s difficult to look at the house and know that the Master is gone.” The woman stood a little straighter. “I’m a good slave,
and Master Jeffrey has explained that the position I would be filling was with Master Jordon. I remember him, Mistress, and I understand that he also has suffered a loss.”
Her voice was sad, but clear, and Emmy thought she might be perfect. She discussed it with Carlton after Cameron’s wife agreed with her, and Rylee noticed they had once again left Phillip’s wife out of the decision. Emmy told her to get some rest, because the real celebration would begin the next day.
In the morning, Rylee was placed in the breast harness and ordered to kneel by the flap to the tent. She was fighting the distraction of her swollen chest when Jeffrey arrived with Brenda. Carlton, Cameron and Phillip agreed that she would do well with his father, and Carlton handed Jeffrey a clan tag to give to his patriarch for the summer trade. Brenda was settled in with Emmy, Carlton and Rylee.
Whiplash! Page 14
