Companions of Gor: Chapter Eleven

 

 

I knelt beside the light from the loft window and applied slave cosmetics to my face while Mikos watched me like some keen eyed tarn. Free women sometimes use subtle cosmetics of their own, exclusively a light and very natural foundation to smooth out skin blemishes and tasteful eyeliner, but nothing more than that. What I had been given from Mikos’s small sack was a full array of vulgar cosmetics crafted for a kajira.

 

“Use them,” he had said. He directed me how to apply heavy foundation and bronzer and blush to my cheeks and how to contour my cheek bones as pleasure slaves do. He made me apply thick mascara to my lashes and eyeshadow with a smoky sheen. He made me paint my lips in a deep, passionate red colour, suitable for luring men to a slave kiss. As I gazed at my reflection, my face, now combined with the slave flame cut of my hair, made me unrecognisable.

 

“That is how pleasure slaves look when they prepare themselves in the evening for the comfort of their master,” said Mikos. “Gaze at yourself in the mirror for a moment. How do you feel?”

 

I thought the makeup very heavy. I would never have worn anything like this normally. 

 

“I said, how do you feel?”

 

“It’s complicated,” I said. “I do not wish to talk about it.”

 

“Of course.” Mikos smiled. 

 

I was naked, for he had taken my tunic from me. In place he now offered me some pleasure silk to wear. Pleasure silk is scandalous. It is the most scandalous garment a woman might ever wear. It is designed for one thing only – to arouse men in readiness of sex. It is woven from incredibly light and semi-transparent sheer silk, made using thin threads and a loose knit, allowing light to pass through, and commonly worn by pleasure slaves in the bed chamber of their master. It is rarely, if ever worn for mundane chores as it is too light and easily damaged. The silk bares more skin than a common tunic, and because of its semi-transparent nature, delineates the shape of the woman, and her breasts and nipples in particular, through the sheer fabric. Pleasure silk is normally styled so that it has a single disrobing loop on the left shoulder, allowing the silk to be completely stripped from a slave’s body with a mere tug of the slip knot. There is a saying that a girl wearing pleasure silk is more naked than naked.

 

I stood up, angrily at the sight of the wisp of silk in his hand. “I think I would rather be naked!” 

 

“Very well.” He put the silk away.

 

I felt the steel links of the chain against my belly as I moved my weight from one foot to the other. I stood with one hand resting on my hip. My face was now perfectly made up with slave cosmetics. I was, as men say, ‘slave beautiful’. “Give me the tunic back.”

 

“It is dirty,” he said, “and anyway, you wore it inside the café last night. It would be recognisable, even if you weren’t immediately recognised, yourself.”

 

“So buy me another tunic.”

 

“There is no time, and besides, the idea is to make men spend more time looking at your body, than your face. Pleasure silk will do that. But you can walk the streets naked if you prefer.”

 

“You would leave me naked, wouldn’t you?”

 

“I would.”

 

“Give me the silk, then.” I drew it over my body and tied the disrobing loop over my left shoulder where a man’s right hand can easily reach it if he was facing me. 

 

“By the Gods, you are a sight,” said Mikos with an approving nod. His hands played with the disrobing loop on my left shoulder, threatening to pull it loose with a swift move. 

 

“Don’t even think it!” I warned. “We don’t have time!” I brushed his hand aside and he replied by cupping one hand on my bottom, pulling me forward and kissing the slave rouge on my lips. When he cupped my bottom with his hand, he placed that hand beneath the hem of the silk I wore, so that it lifted and he could touch the skin itself. I felt his hand between me and the silk. It was difficult not to feel excited by such an intimate caress.

 

“You could be a pleasure slave, Cassie, except of course you possess none of their skills. That would be evident to anyone the moment you tried to perform in the furs.”

 

I bristled at that. “You didn’t seem to complain this morning, or this afternoon, or even last night.” I pulled back and held out several of my fingers. “This is how many times you have put me to use. See! This many times!”

 

He chuckled. “You make a tasty treat, but Cassie, do not fool yourself into thinking you can in any way compete with a trained kajira in the furs. You did well for a free woman, but that really is all. An experienced kajira would fetch ten times your price on an auction block.”

 

I must have frowned for he stepped forward and kissed me again. “But the same could be said for any free woman in a collar. Don’t pout, Cassie. It’s not your fault you’re clumsy and inexperienced. You have the potential of course to be so much more.”

 

 

 

We exited through the stable door out into the courtyard with Mikos marching me directly in front of him so he could admire the way I walked in the pleasure silk.

 

“The sex has loosened you up nicely, Cassie,” he said.

 

“Loosened me up?!” I clenched my hands into fists at my side. 

 

“Yes, you are not so frigid in your posture or footsteps any more. At dinner last night when you rose from the table it was like your spine was rigid. Free women move slowly and with stiff steps, but slaves flow gracefully.”

 

“Well I’m happy for you that you like the way I walk now,” I said, bitterly. My fingers smoothed the incredibly thin silk at my hip. My body was visible through the red silk, brazenly so. Anyone could clearly see the contours of my breasts. And my face felt strange now that it was caked in so much makeup. No one would have recognised Cassandra Assante, and that was of course the point. 

 

“You’re hot and desirable, Cassie.”

 

“I am frigid and scared, is what I am.” I paused in front of the iron bound café door. “They know me in there.”

 

“Not the way you look and move now, they don’t. Learning the slave positions has helped with your movements.” Mikos rapped his knuckles on the door and waited for it to open. “Remember, once inside, keep your eyes lowered in deference. There is no need to look directly at anyone. In fact, it is best you don’t. There might be a free woman dining.”

 

“A free woman…” I did not want a free woman to see me like this! She might think I was a slave.

 

“I think you know to keep well away from free women, don’t you, Cassie?”

 

“Yes,” I said. If she were anything like me, it wouldn’t be a good move to involve myself with her. 

 

“You might be interested to know there is a slight wiggle to your walk now. A movement originating from your hips. It’s delightful.”

 

“You’re imagining things,” I said. “Concentrate on what we’re supposed to be doing. Not my body!”

 

“I’m trying, but you’re very distracting, Cassie.”

 

“Well it wasn’t my idea to put me in pleasure silk!”

 

“Maybe that was a mistake,” Mikos agreed as he reached down and slapped my bottom playfully.

 

“Do that again and I’ll find a kitchen knife and stab that hand to the table!”

 

“You seem more confrontational when you’re not collared to a slave ring.”

 

“You have no idea,” I hissed.

 

The door opened, and so I fell silent, averting my eyes as I supposed a kajira might. To my surprise, Mikos took hold of my hair and brought my head down to touch his hip. I let out a sharp yelp, but in this fashion he walked me into the café. I stumbled a bit, not used to walking this way, but there wasn’t far to go. We found a dining couch with its back to a wall and then Mikos pushed me to my knees beside the table as he sat down.

 

“Nadu.”

 

I adopted the position and seemed to do so well. In my peripheral vision I could see the turban wearing owner greeting us. And to the side there were two kajirae, one of whom was the slut, Esavina, my former rival. If anyone was going to recognise me, then now was the moment, but not a word was spoken on that score.

 

I knelt as Mikos exchanged some pleasantries and arranged for food to be brought to the table. It seems that we were the only customers so far and so we were assured that service would be swift and efficient.

 

“I’m rather looking forward to this,” said Mikos. “The food last night was exceptional. I can see why men and women brave these rough streets to eat here. The chef is first rate.”

 

“I’m glad you liked it,” I said, bitterly. Last night I had sat on a couch. Tonight I knelt in nadu on the floor. “What now?”

 

“We eat. I guess you must be hungry by now? The night is young and I am keen to observe the comings and goings. Then, later on when the place fills up a bit, and the kajirae here are busy, you will sneak upstairs and examine the bedchamber you had last night.”

 

“I am already familiar with it,” I said. “What do you want to know?”

 

“No, you are superficially familiar with it. I suspect there may be a secret passage in that room. You will check everything in detail and then report back.”

 

“There is a deep alcove for chaining slaves inside, a wall space that serves as a wardrobe and a large tapestry on a wall,” I ran through what I could remember.

 

“Good girl, Cassie. Any of those could hide what I’m looking for.” He played with my hair and ran his fingers down the shaped flame design he had trimmed and cut. “If Simon could only see you now.”

 

It suddenly occurred to me that at this rate, if we were successful, Simon soon would! I didn’t want to be seen by Simon looking like this. 

 

Esavina appeared at our table and, with just a brief and condescending look at me, began to lay down plates and cups in anticipation of the food and drink to come.

 

She had obviously recovered from the beating I had given her, though one side of her face was bruised. Good. I hoped I would have the chance to add to the damage eventually.

 

“You are dining with your pleasure slave, tonight, Master?” she said.

 

“I am. She makes a fine diversion between courses. Isn’t she lovely?

 

Esavina gazed at me again and sniffed. “I suppose so, Master. Though she has fat ankles.”

 

I glared at her. “Shut your mouth, slut!” I had the common sense to adjust my accent a little, in the style of the women of the Sardar.

 

Esavina bristled at that and looked towards Mikos, hoping he might discipline me, but Mikos simply chuckled.

 

“The jealousy of slave girls,” he said. “What is your name, girl?”

“Esavina, if it pleases Master.”

 

“It does. May I compliment you on your own perfect ankles.”

 

She smiled brightly and gave me a condescending look.

 

“In fact your body puts that of my own slave’s to shame. I can see who would be the more expensive girl, if you were both exhibited on the block.”

“Thank you, Master,” she grinned. She went away feeling very happy for herself.

 

“What was that about?” I hissed. “I would fetch far more on an auction block than she would!”

 

“Putting the girl at ease. We are here for a reason, remember. There is nothing to be gained by having a jealous kajira watch us all evening.” He paused for a moment. “It’s interesting that you think you would fetch a higher price than her, though.”

 

“Well, it’s surely obvious. Of course I would.”

 

“The girl is a slave. She has had training. Not to mention experience around men.”

 

“So you think her block price would be higher than mine,” I said angrily.

 

“Much higher, Cassie. She would easily sell in Vonda, at the current market rates, for at least eighty copper tarsks.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“If exhibited well, by a clever auctioneer, and put to the whip to assist her paces, she would break the silver tarsk barrier. Men would want her.”

 

“Men are stupid.” I looked away.

 

“Are you interested in your likely block price, Cassie?”

 

“No.” I sniffed again. 

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“Of course I’m sure. Why would I be possibly interested?”

 

“Very well.”  

 

 

 

The first of the courses were soon served. Mikos had ordered a selection of small crayfish and crab brioche bites that looked mouth-watering, alongside a lightly spiced paneer with quick-pickled cucumber and small tasting dishes of potted duck with pistachio. He was served a light Vondan wine that he tasted and proclaimed to be delightful.

 

“Do you want me to taste it?” I suggested, eyeing the wine bottle with interest. I licked my rouge red lips. 

 

“There is no need, Cassie. I know a good wine when I taste it.”

 

“I could probably identify the grape variety for you?”

 

He laughed and stroked my head. I watched as he drank a little of the wine and began on the crab brioche bites.

 

“These are really good, Cassie. Really good.”

 

“Are they,” I said with an acidic tone.

 

“Forgive me, are you hungry?” asked Mikos as he gazed down at me in nadu.

 

“Possibly,” I said. “You have not fed me since breakfast.”

 

“Ah. Of course. We were a little busy in the straw together to think about food. I suppose you must have worked up quite an appetite with all that thrashing about in the straw?”

 

“Must you be so vulgar? I do NOT thrash.”

 

“Open,” he said as he lifted a crab brioche bite towards my mouth. I chewed the food slowly, savouring the taste. My stomach was rumbling in appreciation. 

 

“Would you like to try a little of the potted duck?” he asked.

 

I nodded. He put a little of it onto a fork and fed it to me. Again, it was delicious. “May I have some wine?” I asked.

 

“No. You have serious work to do tonight. I don’t want your senses impaired.” He lifted the glass again and drank some more of the wine. 

 

“It will relax me.”

 

“I don’t want you relaxed, Cassie, I want you alert.”

 

“Can I have another of the small crab bites?”

 

“In good time.” Mikos helped himself to a little of the spiced paneer. He smiled as he saw how I watched his fork rise to his mouth. Halfway there he conceded and moved the fork to my mouth instead. I took the food eagerly. “That look on your face,” he said with a chuckle. “Aimee looks like that when we have a good dinner and I’m entertaining guests. She pouts when she is ignored.”

 

“I have nothing in common with your slut,” I said.

 

“Actually, you do, you were both once captives of Yishana.”

 

“Oh. I didn’t know that.”

 

“She was sold at the Bastion long before you were taken. She was a woman of Cos.” 

 

“Cosian women make good slaves,” I said.

 

“And women of Vonda?”

 

“The answer to that is more complex,” I said. “It depends on the woman. Esavina for example, is a natural slave and belongs in a collar.”

 

“And yourself?”

 

“I am not a natural slave and so I don’t belong in a collar. As I said, the answer is more complex than if we were to discuss Cosian women.”

 

“Of course. I bow to your insight on the subject. Would you like another crab bite?”

 

“Yes!” I said, smiling now.

 

He fed me another of the bites, leaving just one on the plate. “We could order another round of those,” I suggested.

 

“And then you really would have fat ankles.”

 

“My ankles are not fat!” I sat back angrily.

 

“No, they are not, Cassie. I was only teasing you. You have very pretty ankles. They would look lovely in a sirik chain.”

 

“I suppose you have a lot of experience in such things.”

 

“I have had many women pose before me in sirik chains, and more common ankle and chain arrangements. Your ankles would be particularly charming.”

 

“Is that meant to be a compliment?” I hissed.

 

“Actually, yes. Would you rather I said you were ugly?”

 

“No,” I shrugged. “I would not like that at all.”

 

“Well, be pleased I spoke the truth then.” He picked up the final crab bite but when he saw the look on my face he laughed again and held it out to me. “You are impossible, Cassie.” I snapped at the small piece of food before he changed his mind.

 

“Yes I am,” I said as I savoured the taste. “I’m far more pleasing with a full stomach.”

 

“I’ll remember that.” 

 

“I’m sure you will.”

 

We had some time before the main course was served, and as we talked Mikos asked me further questions about my life and how I entertained myself during the day. I talked about my work with the poor, and how I often lunched with frivolous friends to while away the time. 

 

“Your days seem rather empty and superficial, save for your charitable works, Cassie.”

 

“There is little to do, I suppose. I read of course. I have a good library. I attend fashionable plays and musical recitals in the evening, and there are a number of garden parties to which I am invited. I suppose much of it must seem superficial to you, who journeys around the continent.”

 

“Travel broadens the mind and there is so much of Gor that I want to experience. And my business keeps me busy. I am exporting coffee to several cities aside from Vonda.”

 

“Coffee?”

 

“Sorry, black wine. I use English words sometimes.”

 

Our conversation was interrupted as the door opened and additional customers entered. It was a man and a woman, well dressed, and obviously here for the quality of the food.

 

“A free woman has entered, Cassie,” said Mikos.

 

“So she has.”

 

“You are a kajira in pleasure silk. Do not look at her or her companion.”

 

I realised he was right and lowered my eyes just in time. The Lady had naturally enough turned her gaze in our direction. I had just about seen the way her eyes narrowed at the sight of me. “Are they coming this way?” I whispered.

 

“No. The Lady is directing her companion to the other side of the room, away from you.”

 

“Good.” I touched the sheer silk that adorned my body. 

 

“Why do free women despise slaves so much?” asked Mikos with interest.

 

“Because they’re sluts,” I replied.

 

“The slaves or the free woman?”

 

“Very droll, Mikos.”

 

I was aware that the man who had entered had now risen from his dining couch and was crossing the café floor to speak to Mikos.

 

“Greetings, Sir,” he said. “I am Bartok of Vonda, and I am dining tonight with the gentle Lady Taspina of Vonda.”

 

“Charmed, I am sure,” said Mikos with a smile. “Your Lady is exquisite and walks with dignity and charm. I myself am Mikos of Vonda.”

 

Bartok coughed awkwardly as if what he was about to say was obviously a delicate matter. “My Lady was somewhat annoyed to see there is a pleasure slave here.”

 

“You mean Cassie?” Mikos smiled. “Pay her no heed.”

 

“My Lady feels that her dining experience will be marred with the girl present in the room. She feels, quite naturally, that a pleasure slave lowers the ambience of this fine venue. I wonder if I could prevail upon you to chain the girl outside in the back courtyard while we eat? My Lady would appreciate it.”

 

Mikos dabbed at his lips with a napkin. “Of course. I understand.”

 

I glanced up at him in surprise. Surely he would not chain me outside in the back yard?!

 

“The sensibilities of a free woman are very delicate,” remarked Bartok. “If it were just you and I here…”

 

“Of course. Say no more. I didn’t mean to offend.” Mikos rose from his couch and took hold of me by the hair. He lifted my head to his hip and walked me past the other tables to the door leading to the walled yard with the razor wire.

 

“What are you doing?” I hissed once we were outside. “Why should you care if that woman doesn’t want me there!”

 

“She is a free woman of Vonda. I don’t want to cause a scene,” replied Mikos “She has every right to be offended by the sight of you, Cassie.” He took me to a slave post in the yard where there were a series of chains fixed to bolts in the wood. He attached a leash chain to my collar ring despite my protests. In moments I was secured to the slave post by my collar.

 

“Be reasonable, Cassie, she doesn’t want to see a slut in pleasure silk while she dines.”

 

“I thought you wanted me to look around upstairs for you?”

 

“And you will, but later, when I release you.”

 

“Let me stay inside with you, Mikos. Please. Don’t leave me out here.”

 

“You are perfectly safe. No one can steal you from this post, and as you can see the walls are topped with razor wire.”

 

“That’s not the point. I don’t want to be left here. Let me stay inside with you. You like my company, don’t you?”

 

“I do like your company, Cassie. But I have to take into consideration the feelings of a free woman.”

 

“Oh,” I fumed, stamping my foot in frustration. “How long are you going to leave me here?”

 

“Not long,” he said, cupping my bottom once more, pulling me forward to another strong and dominant kiss. I broke away from this with a little gasp. “I’ve left you a long chain. You can pace about practicing being angry, if you wish.”

 

“How kind of you” I said sarcastically. I watched him go back inside, closing the door behind him. I fumed, crossing my arms, standing there beside the slave post. The nerve of the man! I paced about the yard, gazing at the high walls. How could he just leave me here! Secured to a post! I ran the fingers of my right hand through my now shortened mane of hair. The slave flame shape felt fuller than my previously long, straight hair, that had just hung down my back when loose. Most of the time of course my hair was gathered up high about my head and braided, so when I finally returned home I could conceal what Mikos had done to my hair until it grew out again. 

 

And then I simply waited. There wasn’t anything to do out here. The length of chain was just short of the door handle, meaning I couldn’t open the door to the café, let alone step inside, and it was also just too short for me to touch the surface of any of the high walls. Aside from that, I was free to pace about. The night sky was clear of clouds, and I could clearly see the various constellations of stars and the three moons of Gor. It was a beautiful night, warm and still and reasonably quiet. Some sounds drifted from the narrow, tall buildings that formed this quarter, most of which were clustered around courtyard space with arches leading to the main streets. This had been quite the adventure, and despite the degradation, I could at least claim my own share of risk, as my brother often did. Marik had been right in a way – my life was often tolerably dull. Wealth and privilege meant I had no real challenges to face, and my opportunities to live my life in ways that might be out of the ordinary were strictly curtailed by my sex. 

 

What would I be doing now, back at home? Assuming I was there, I would be reading, or perhaps consulting some maps, wondering what marvels lay in those exotic lands far beyond the walls of my city. I might be seated in my conservatory, listening to a commissioned performance of poetry or music or even high theatre. I might bathe in my pool room, enjoying the luxury of scented water and bath oils and kajirae washing and combing my hair as I drank wine from a heavy goblet resting on the side of the pool. Or maybe I would be entertaining female guests with dinner and meaningless conversation that never touched on any of the important spheres of politics and current affairs. Instead my guests would spend the evening criticising whichever ladies were not present that night at the dining table. I had grown bored of it all. 

 

But soon I would return to that world. We would locate Simon, and I would return to the gowns and robes, the veils, the rich sequinned slippers, the cosseted and privileged life, devoid of risk or reward. I could once again be the chaste and frigid Lady of Vonda that I had always assumed I was.

 

Sometime later the city chimes rang the hour and I knew that probably half an ahn had passed since Mikos had chained me out here. I was still hungry. I had missed out on the main course. Mikos had ordered slow cooked tarsk, with fennel and sage ragu and butter fried polenta. I had been looking forward to that. 

 

An ahn later, I heard the chimes again. How long was I to be kept out here while Mikos stuffed himself with fine food and exquisite wines? Would he save some of it for me?

 

I heard men talking from a couple of streets away. They were obviously walking from one paga tavern to another. Like most free women, I had never seen or experienced the inside of a paga tavern, and there was a good reason for that because the only women who attended such a place were paga slaves, there to be used by the men for the price of a coup of paga. In a society where only 2% of the female population is enslaved, most men cannot ever afford a slave of their own, but the use of one in a paga tavern is within their means. I actually have a progressive attitude to paga taverns. I think they perform a useful service within society, catering for the baser desires of many men, and making society safer for free women as a consequence. 

 

The back door of the café opened as I ruminated on the subject. A man appeared in the doorway, silhouetted by the light inside coming from the lamps. It was Bartok. I watched as he walked out into the yard where I as chained. He gazed around at first before settling his eyes upon me.

 

“Do you not know to kneel before a free man,” he said. 

 

I knelt in nadu. 

 

He then ignored me, walking instead to the far wall with a small liquor in his hand. He had come out for some night air it seems, leaving his woman inside. Maybe dinner guests had turned up and they were talking to the woman.  

 

When he had his back to me, I reached down and picked up a large stone from the ground and secreted it in the palm of my right hand. He was not going to paw at me like some lecherous oaf. I was an Assante. 

 

I knew what was going to happen. A few ehn passed and then he looked round at me, his eyes lingering on my red pleasure silk, and how it showed the outline of my body. 

 

“Would your Master take a copper tarsk,” he asked.

 

“No,” I said. “He would not.” He was offering to pay for my use. I gripped the stone tightly. 

 

He began to walk towards me. “You’re hardly worth more than that,” he said. 

 

I breathed in deeply. I would kill him before I allowed him to take me. A hard strike to the temple while he had his hands on the silk. He wouldn’t see it coming. 

 

“You should speak to my Master first.”

 

“Your Master is busy with the café girl,” he said, and the surprise obviously showed in my eyes as he said that.

 

“What? You didn’t wonder what he has been doing this last ahn and a half?”

 

He was close now. And I was ready to strike. The stone shifted in my grip so that the sharpest edge protruded in the darkness.

 

“My Master can do as he wishes,” I said. I didn’t care. Let Mikos have the slut. He meant nothing to me. I felt my eyes tear up a little but I blinked the moisture away. Of course I meant nothing to him. I was clumsy. A clumsy free woman. He was probably laughing at my pathetic responses in the straw, laughing with Esavina, now that he had an experienced kajira. What had I expected? Of course men wouldn’t want me, except as a challenge, to put the free woman to use. That was all I was to him. I meant nothing. What a fool I was to have spoken to him this morning about my life, my dreams, as if it meant anything to him. 

 

“Ready yourself on your back, slut,” said Bartok. He flicked a coin to the ground beside where I knelt. 

 

“Cassie,” the voice was that of Mikos. He walked out into the yard and regarded Bartok who now backed away from me. “I hope you haven’t been seducing this fine man.” He smiled at Bartok, but there was a challenge in that smile.

 

“I should return inside,” he said. “My woman will be growing impatient.”

Mikos said nothing as he simply watched Bartok return to the café.

 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t see him leave until he was already gone,” said Mikos.

 

“What do you care?!” I snapped, tears fresh in my eyes now. I cursed myself, for now he had seen me cry. “Did you enjoy your time with Esavina!”

 

“What does that mean?” 

 

“I hate you! Leave me alone!” I smacked his hand away as he reached for my shoulder. 

 

“I have done nothing to Esavina. Why do you think I have? This is a respectable café, and there is a free woman present. And anyway, why should you care?”

 

“I don’t! I don’t care! You can do what you like with the slut! She’s so much prettier than me, isn’t she?! You keep telling me she is, and how clumsy I am in the straw. She has such a high block price compared with me! Don’t touch me!” I brandished the edge of the stone at him in my fist.

 

“I’m just going to unlock your collar chain, that’s all.” He took my wrist and prized the stone from it, casting the stone to the other side of the yard. “Never threaten me again, Cassie. We will talk later.” He unlocked the chain from my collar ring. “But now it is time for you to do what I have brought you here to do.”