I think I did, I tell her.But why, if I’m past the taint of what they did to Neem, do I still doubt?
There’s a ponderous moment.I don’t know how else to describe it.But I’m suddenly crushed under the weight of her silence, as though a massive creature has turned her entire focus to me.It’s terrifying and lights the fire inside me again, the one I thought snuffed out.
You still carry the disease, she says, voice vibrating through me.And will until what needs to be done is complete.She fades again as quickly as she rose.I feel her drifting from me and hear her whisper at last, as though she’s expended all the energy she has to reach me.I feel somehow even more connected to her, knowing she’s as frustrated with her current state as I am with mine.Gather your strength, let them bring you to me.I’m waiting, Flame.It’s almost time.There’s a short pause before she says,Aurous.She’s gone, then, and I feel her go, knowing that answering her won’t reach her.
I try anyway.I won’t be anyone’s pawn, I say.But I will hear you out.
As soon as I’m free.
If I must carry on, though, her advice is sound.On this ship, I’m fed, cared for, and allowed the time and rest I need to recover.And it appears that I’m also being taken where she needs me to go.I’ve never been one to believe in fate, despite the kinspark, despite the things I’ve been told so recently about the truth of magic.Of the Overkingdom and the death of the gold dragon who used to rule there, and now this new dragon, who speaks to me and lures me south.So, I will carry on only if it suits me and if that ends in mutual satisfaction, so be it.
Even the vast magic long thought lost won’t force me to do what I choose otherwise.
At least, so I tell myself.I guess I’ll have to wait and see if the daughter of Jhanette has what it takes to stand against a dragon.
I don’t really like my chances.
I finally sleep, and when I wake, it’s to shouting from on deck.Vunoshe is sour as he dons his robe over his naked body, but when we emerge to the morning sun, his attitude instantly changes.
Another small man in a dark garment similar to his waves jauntily from the gangplank that’s been stretched between two ships.Vunoshe hurries forward, embracing the other man and kissing him soundly.The sailors look away as the twomasterres’ mutual hands move beneath each other’s robes in intimate caresses, soft moans of pleasure reminding me that it’s been some time since I felt a touch like that.
Neither Vunoshe nor his companion seems to care that they’re pleasuring one another out in the open, in full view of the crews of both ships.In fact, if anything, they revel in it, those private, tugging movements mutual, low and between one another’s legs leading to matching groans that end in themasterres shuddering as one, leaning into each other when climax takes them.
Vunoshe pulls away first, licking the slick moisture from his fingers as the other man does the same.“I’ve missed you, darling.”
“And you, my love.”His mate, then?He’s just as dainty, almost delicate, though he’s shaved his head, earlobes heavy with dangling gold, and wears a pointed beard on the tip of his chin.“I bring you bounty for the arenas.”The newcomer gestures as two large men are brought on board, naked but for loincloths wound around their hips, chained at the wrist and ankle so they can only cup their hands in front of them, shuffling short strides.
Vunoshe claps his hands together in child-like delight.“They’rebeautiful, Hanso,” he says, rushing forward to stroke the pectorals of the first man, the burly giant flinching back from the slavemasterre’s touch.I feel for him, for the painful redness of his skin where sunburn has bitten deep into his fair flesh, his pale eyes rising to meet mine for a moment before he looks down again.His blond hair is bound at the nape of his neck, and though he’s thin for a fighter, it’s clear he’s been in many battles, scars and muscles both well developed.
The other man glares around him with a kind of casual arrogance that Vunoshe seems to appreciate, flashing the bulky warrior with a coy smile, his admiration slow and his touch lingering.They’re both taller than I am, closer to the size of the drakonkin rogue, Kell, though neither has that gray skin tone or silver or amber eyes of my father’s people.In fact, the second man’s is the same warmth as mine, as the sailors’, so perhaps he’s Sunnish as they are.
He certainly seems far less concerned with his lot in life, while the pale giant appears out of place.
“Perfection,” Vunoshe tells Hanso, hugging him close.“You’ll join us for the sale?”
“Alas,” the other man says with a headshake.“I am due in Nerveeth to select six concubines for the Sun God himself.”He says it with a casual tone, but Vunoshe is squealing immediately, hugging him again.
“How I wanted you to get to know my new pet,” he says with a moue of disappointment, gesturing me forward.I join them, Hanso admiring me with a long look up and down, but clearly unwilling to remain.
“She’s perfection,” the othermasterresays.“Tell Romouth no less than two hundred.”
“I’ll double that,” Vunoshe says, then kisses Hanso one last time.“Go, then,” mymasterresays with a sigh.“Bring glory and grace to our profession.”
“And you, my love.”They exchange one last lingering embrace before Hanso turns and returns to the other ship, snapping his fingers.The gangplank retracts and we’re on our way again, Captain Lhanin, I note, scowling at the new additions.He made no move to speak to anyone on the other vessel, either, so his disapproval is multi-layered, I suppose.
“More mouths to feed,” he grunts at Vunoshe.His complaints are ridiculous, since all of his cargo was sold on shore before I began my killing spree.“I’m not giving up my cabin.”
“You won’t have to,” the slavemasterresays.“It’s not your cabin anymore.”Vunoshe gestures for the two large men to follow, hand already holding the slender chains that would be so easy to break, winding mind among theirs, and leading the three of us aft.
It occurs to me that I might not have to kill Vunoshe myself.Because if Captain Lhanin has his way, themasterre’s already dead.
He just doesn’t know it yet.
***
Chapter Eight
Vunoshe leads all of us into the other cabin, quickly crowded by the two hulking fighters, let alone me and the small slave master.But he doesn’t seem to care, guiding the sunburned giant to sit on the captain’s bed, his companion next to him, then has me perch on the end before stepping back to admire us with his hands clasped under his chin and a giant, childlike smile on his face.
