fellows should have been grateful enough to the Pani that the slaves were made available for serving the general feast, in its several locations.
“What is your name?” asked Leros of one of the slaves.
“Adraste,” she said, “if it pleases master.”
“You are very beautiful, Adraste,” he said. This was said with much the same objectivity with which one might have commended a kaiila.
“Thank you, Master,” she said.
“And what is your name,” asked Aeacus, of the other slave.
“Alcinoe,” she said, “if it pleases Master.”
“You are not a bad-looking slave,” said one of the fellows.
“Thank you, Master,” she said.
I thought I saw the trace of a smile on the lips of Adraste. And, if I am not mistaken, I thought I saw a flicker of annoyance course the features of the lovely Alcinoe, whom I, at least, thought quite nice.
I had two reasons for wishing a private supper, limited to a few, in this case the personnel of the high watches on the great ship, whom I knew and trusted. First, I was much afraid that if the two slaves would, for example, have been assigned to the long tables, those in the courtyard, one or another fellow might have recognized them. I did not think that Cabot was on the grounds, but Seremides surely was. Thus I was trying, for what it was worth, to conceal the identity of the two slaves. The fellows of the high watch, with the exception of myself, would know them, if at all, as only two slaves, to be sure, two rather attractive slaves. The second reason I wanted to have the small supper in a private area, was to give me the freedom to come and go, as I might please. For example, I was much afraid that the sorry return of the exploratory force, and the possible imminence of the forces of Lord Yamada, might further increase apprehension amongst the men, hasten the formation of reckless resolves, and lead to some rash action. If one were concerned to protect an endeavor such as our common enterprise, or forestall or thwart a conspiracy which might result in the ruination of that enterprise, whatever it might be, and perhaps the death of hundreds, subtlety seemed advisable. Certainly it would seem inadvisable to act openly, where one might fall within the purview of conspirators themselves, whoever they might be. One does not, if wise, arouse suspicion, and court a knife in the darkness. But, too, of course, what did I owe, really, to Lords Nishida and Okimoto, or to Lord Temmu, who, as far as I knew, might be as bad as, or even worse than, Lord Yamada. I was loyal, of course, to the ship. And I was reasonably clear that I owed my life to Lord Nishida, from long ago, and perhaps to Tarl Cabot, strangely enough, as he was of Port Kar, enemy to great Cos.
“Let the serving begin,” I said, and the slaves sprang to their feet, and the men cheered.
“Is there paga?” inquired a fellow.
“Enough to keep you drunk for a month,” I said.
This brought another cheer.
The slaves had now retired behind the screen, I think gratefully, to prepare for the serving. I found them bickering as to precedence, as to who might serve what dish, and when. Whereas I knew little or nothing of such things, decisions were in order, so I specified, very clearly, who should serve what, and in what order. I tried to distribute the best dishes, or what I took to be the best dishes, evenly between them. Both, of course, were to serve paga, but demurely, as one might serve another drink, not as it is commonly served in the taverns, or to a private master, in the privacy of his own quarters.
I heard some striking on the tables, in the dining area. The fellows were hungry, and growing impatient.
“Forgive me, Master,” said Alcinoe, “but I am not a serving slave.”
“Nor I,” said Adraste.
“You chose us for this that we would be demeaned, did you not?” said Alcinoe.
“Doubtless it amuses the Master,” said Adraste, “that I, who was Ubara, should serve men, as a serving slave.”
“And that I,” said Alcinoe, “who was second only to the Ubara herself should serve so, as well!”
“Perhaps you would prefer to serve the long tables, in the courtyard,” I said, “serve, say, Tarl Cabot, if he is there, and Seremides, who may well be there, and others?”
“No, Master,” said Adraste, quickly.
“No, Master,” said Alcinoe.
“But that we should serve, at all,” said Adraste.
“At all,” added Alcinoe.
“It does amuse me,” I said, “that the former Talena, the former Ubara of Ar, and the former Lady Flavia of Ar, her confidante, now slaves, should serve common fellows, as might any other slave.”
“Very amusing,” said Adraste.
“And I will tell you, pretty Adraste, how you will serve them,” I said.
“Master?” she said.
“Remove your clothing,” I said.
“Excellent!” laughed Alcinoe, delighted. She clapped her hands with pleasure.
“There are no free women out there,” I said.
“Surely you cannot be serious,” she said.
“Get it off,” I said.
Frightened, Adraste drew her tunic off, over her head.
“How wonderful, how splendid,” said Alcinoe, “she who was Talena of Ar, now a stripped serving slave!”
“Men,” I told Adraste, “find it pleasant to be served by naked slaves.”
“Master,” moaned Adraste.
Alcinoe laughed.
“It improves the appetite,” I told her.
“Take that, haughty, vain, deceitful slut!” said Alcinoe.
Tears ran down the cheeks of the former Ubara.
“Naked slave!” laughed Alcinoe.
“Alcinoe,” I said.
“Master?” she said.
“Remove your clothing,” I said.
Her eyes regarded me, wide, startled.
“Now,” I said.
“Yes, Master!” she said, and hastily drew off her garment, over her head.
“Slave!” said Adraste to her.
“Slave!” said Alcinoe.
The slaves now wore only their collars. How beautiful are women, so!
“I hate you, Master,” said Adraste.
“I hate you, Master!” said Alcinoe.
“I was Ubara!” said Adraste.
“I was second to the Ubara, her confidante,” said Alcinoe.
“Pick up your plates,” I told them.
They did so.
“I only regret,” I said, “that your rivals, other free women, your enemies, women loyal to Ar, are not out there.”
The slaves moaned, softly.
It is very pleasant, of course, for a free woman to come into the ownership of a former enemy, or rival, and have her serve her guests naked, as the lowest of serving slaves.
I picked up a cloth. The slaves’ hands were occupied, each holding a dish which they might serve. “Let us wipe away these tears,” I said. I wiped the tears from the cheeks of Adraste, and softly touched the eyes of Alcinoe, that her eyes not sparkle with her distress, and shame.
I then went to the men’s side of the screen.
“Two slaves,” I said.
The slaves, miserable, trying to hold themselves erect, each holding a dish, emerged from behind the
