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  “There’s no room at the inn,” she said. “We’re two blocks over, an open house. It’s fully furnished, and we sent a team ahead to make sure it was ready. There’s food and everything else you’ll need.”

  “Whose idea was this?”

  “You know the answer to that.”

  I nodded. “Thank her for me. Could I get some help?”

  “They’re just riding up.”

  The guards carried my slaves into the house for me. I nearly needed a carry myself. Bess laughed and put an arm around my waist. “I knew you needed me.”

  “Hoping for an invitation to dinner?”

  “I wouldn’t turn one down, but I’m just lending a hand. Do you have the vaguest idea what you’re going to do?”

  “Walk funny, I imagine.”

  She snorted her laugh. “Undoubtedly. Where do you want them?”

  “Is the master bed big enough for six?”

  “If they’re really cozy.”

  “Do you think that’s going to be a problem?”

  She laughed again. “I doubt it.”

  “I need clothing,” I said.

  “No, you don’t,” she said. “I’ll show you.”

  The guards carried the women. Bess and I followed. They set the women down for me, arranging them on the bed. I’d worry about blankets in a minute. Bess tugged me to the closet and opened the door. “These are the traditional clothes for someone who has just won her first practice challenge.”

  I stepped in. They had several pairs of my boots from the inn. “Under things are in the dresser,” she said. “And the other things we thought you’d need.”

  “Did you do this?”

  “I sent people ahead,” she said. “You were taking your time. We’ve had hours.”

  I laughed. There were white blouses, black leather skirts, and a mix of leather tunics and a long, leather duster, plus a few belts and other adornments.

  “These are a gift,” Bess added. “Well, some of this is from your own closet, but everything in this closet and the dresser is yours now.”

  “Whom do I thank?”

  “You know the answer to that.”

  “Well, thank you for your help.” I stepped from the closet and closed the door, still wearing my shift. “My clothes from the arena?”

  “They’re at the inn,” she said. “Wear these, Claary.”

  “I’m going to be working.”

  “So? Wear these when you’re not naked.”

  I didn’t have the energy to argue with her. “Come for dinner at the inn any night this week.”

  “Are you inviting me back here after?”

  “Sure.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Sure,” I said. “If you let them do anything they want to you.”

  “I’ll think about it,” she replied.

  “Let me put it this way. If you come back, the first order I’m going to make is, ‘Grab her’.”

  She laughed. “I’ll think about it. That might be fun. But five of them.”

  “I imagine one or two will play with me,” I said. “So only three or four.”

  “Right. Only three or four. They’re going to nap for a while. They probably won’t all wake up at once. There’s a lot of ready-to-eat food and some that needs preparation. They’ll need a lot of liquid; you all will. Have fun, Claary.”

  I let her show herself out then found some blankets. I moved to the bed, rearranged my slaves, and then covered them with sheets and blankets, then tossed aside my shift and joined them. I needed a bath, but I was going to wait and let them pamper me.

  What good was having slaves if they didn’t pamper you?

  * * * *

  I felt bad. I wasn’t the first to wake. It was actually Gigi who brushed at my face. I opened my eyes. “Hello, Gi.”

  She smiled and brushed my cheek again. I felt more movement, and I sat up. As I did, all of them moved about, clustering around me. I touched faces and said hello to each. I exchanged little kisses and then said, “We all need to bathe. Let’s find out if this house has ready hot water. Everyone go explore then come back if you find something to show me. Go.”

  They scattered in multiple directions. I wandered slowly. There was a master bath, but it wasn’t much, and a hot bath for all of us wasn’t looking like a possibility until El – Lassa – found me and grabbed my hand. I let her pull me through the house and to the first floor. Two rooms later, and she pointed.

  I stepped past her and found an entire spa, complete with a steaming tub. I clapped happily. “Excellent, El. We need soap and towels.” I stepped back out. “Girls. We’re downstairs.”

  El found towels. Arr saw the room, smiled broadly, and she was the one to find soap. El found brushes, both for washing, and another supply for brushing hair. The others arrived and all smiled.

  I headed for the tub, but it was Gigi that ran past me and blocked the path, shaking her head. Then she took my hands and led me away. “Gi, I want a bath.” She tugged on my hands, and so I let her.

  She led me to an alcove. Then Sarala was there with a bucket of hot water from the tub. The others brought the other things, and then they began to bathe me, there in the alcove.

  I didn’t understand, but I let them do what they wanted. And then they tried washing each other, but they were still in their resin, now dried, but I knew it could be removed. I talked soothingly to each, guiding her on how to remove it. Once the first two figured it out, the others squealed with glee and helped each other. Soon there were six of us, all washing each other. Then Gigi took my hands and led me to the tub. The others rinsed and followed after.

  “We’re going to bathe,” I said. “We’re not going to play yet. We’ll bathe and dry then get dressed again. We all need to eat and drink something. Then we’ll discuss the rules.”

  They didn’t fight me. Of course they didn’t. They did, however, find ways to pamper me. I didn’t mind that at all.

  * * * *

  We made our way to the kitchen, my slaves dressed in their red outfits. I’d let them pick what they wanted me to wear, and so I was wearing the clothing Bess had left for me. I spent a minute roaming the kitchen supplies and then said, “Right. Salad, and there’s some cooked chicken to put over the top. I don’t know if I can trust you with knives. Let’s wash the produce.”

  I managed the kitchen, and then I was about to freak out when Sarala grabbed a knife and began to cut up the produce. Then I stared for a minute, moving closer. “La-la.” She finished and then looked at me, smiling. “You can cook?” She nodded. “Are you a good cook?” She nodded. “All right. But I don’t want the others using sharp implements.” She smiled and went back to preparing our salad.

  Then we had a little crisis. They all wanted to touch me while eating, and there just wasn’t room. Finally I said, “Enough. Bring the food with us and follow me.” I led them two rooms over then sat down on the floor, leaning against an old sofa. “Find places, and no fighting.

  They found places, all of them touching.

  After, they did the cleanup and then came back to the sitting room. I had moved to the sofa, and they sat down at my feet, looking up.

  “Rules,” I said. “Rule one. You may touch me and each other all you want for comfort. This means the sort of touches we’re doing now. Rule two. You will not touch yourselves for pleasure. I know you want to, but it isn’t allowed. Rule three. You may touch me or each other for pleasure only when I give permission. I will do so often. We’ll have lots of time to play. Rule four. You will not let anyone else touch you for pleasure and will avoid other types of touch. If anyone tries to touch you, you will move away and tell me.”

  I went over the rules, making sure they knew them. I included all the rules Olivia used with me, Dee, and Bee, and a couple that Bess had used with me. Then I smiled. “Do you want to play?”

  They nodded enthusiastically.

  “We’ve had a big day, so we’re going to have easy play. Listen to what I say, and t
hen we’ll decide. I want two of you to sit here with me. Then I want two more to play with the last. You may do anything you want to her.” They all grinned. “Who wants to sit with me? Raise your hands.” They all raised their hands.

  “Well,” I said. “Who wants to play?” They all raised their hands.

  “Who wants me to pick two others, and tell them they can do anything they want to you?” Yes, they all raised their hands. “Who wants a spanking?” They raised their hands. “Who wants me to send her home?” All the hands went down. I decided they understood what I was saying. “I’m not sending anyone home. Gi. You get to pick two girls, and they may do anything they want to you. Point to them.” She pointed to me. I laughed. “That’s not the game. I want to watch. Pick two others.”

  She looked around and then pointed first at Lassa and then Sarala.

  “All right.” I pointed to Sareet. “You are Sari.” I pointed to Sarala. “You are La-la.” They both nodded enthusiastically. “El and Arr, please sit beside me on either side. Gi. Let Sari and La-la do anything they want to you. Girls, have fun.”

  And then I leaned back, two slaves pressed against my sides, and three having a great deal of fun with each other.

  * * * *

  I rose early. The girls had worn themselves – and me – out, but I’d get them up shortly. I needed a few minutes alone, but I knew I couldn’t leave them. I saw to my needs and picked my clothing. Then I went back in and went from girl to girl, waking her with a kiss and telling her how special she was. I asked them to help me dress. Downstairs, they put on sandals. And then we stepped from the house.

  It wasn’t even light yet. We held hands, three on one side in a chain, two on the other. And then I led them through the streets.

  We weren’t at all far from the Baby Blanket Inn. I led them to the back entrance, using my key to let us in. Mother was already there, which wasn’t a surprise, directing the two cooks. Lisbon would appear shortly. Everyone looked up as we stepped in. “Good morning, Mother.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Girls,” I said. “This is my mother. Her names is Kathareet. I want you to each give her a hug, and if she lets you, a tiny little kiss.”

  They took turns, and Mother didn’t know what hit her. When they were done, I said, “I want you to treat my mother like you might a mother-in-law you really like. When we arrive each day, if she isn’t doing something that prevents it, you will greet her with a hug and kiss, if she accepts. If she accepts it, you may also touch her for comfort. If she tells you to do something, this is her inn, and you will do it. But you will not leave the property unless I personally order you to do so. Do you understand?” They nodded, and Gigi especially pointed firmly to the floor.

  “Good. This woman is Hessey,” I said. “She is the lead cook. Hessey, do you want hugs?”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes, Hessey. You may say no.”

  “I don’t turn down hugs from lovely women like these,” she said. “And I don’t turn down kisses, either.”

  I laughed. “Hugs only,” I said. “Girls, take turns and hug Hessey.” I let them do that, and then I introduced one of her assistant chefs, Tralla. I didn’t offer Tralla hugs. She was 15, and I just didn’t want to go there. “Girls, Hessey is the head cook. If you are assigned to the kitchen, and she tells you to do something related to running the inn, you will do it. But that is only if it is directly related to cooking and running the kitchen. Hessy, this one is La-la. She may be a more experienced cook than I am. She definitely has better knife skills. However, you can’t ask for too much at once.”

  “They’re working here?” Mother asked.

  “It’s your inn. You can kick us out. But if you do, you’re short-handed, because I’m not leaving them alone all day. I think I’d accept, if I were you.”

  “I thought they were, you know, pleasure slaves.”

  “Girls, raise your hand if you want to help Mother and me run the inn.” They all raised their hands.

  “Girls,” Mother said. “Raise your hands if you want to be kicked by a horse.”

  All their hands went down. She turned to me. “They’re more responsive than you were.”

  “Maybe I didn’t hit them as hard as Olivia and Bess hit me,” I said. “They’re not talking yet, but they’ve followed simple orders, and they’ve been well-behaved. But I do not want strangers around them unless you or I are supervising them. We need to protect them, Mother.”

  She nodded. “I’d love the help.”

  “Do you want to assign them?”

  “Hell, no.”

  “Hessey, do you want one or two?”

  “Two please, the one that can cook, and one more who won’t do anything stupid.”

  “Girls, who feels she can safely work in the kitchen?”

  Sarala held up her hand, of course, as did Lassa.

  “All right then. We’ll ask each day.” I moved to Sarala. “You’ll let Hessey get used to you. Do you understand?” She nodded. I gave her a little kiss and said, “There’s a lull after breakfast. You may pick who gets to pleasure you.”

  She smiled broadly.

  I turned to Lassa. “Are you sure you can do this?” She nodded. “Do you know the dangers? Show me.” She took my hand. She pointed to the stove. She then grabbed a pan and set it down, then pointed to the handle. She pointed to knives. She pointed to the wash water.

  “Hessey,” I asked. “Are you satisfied?”

  “I’ll keep an eye on her, but she’ll be fine.”

  I turned her back to me. “Lassa, people get hurt in the kitchen. I would hate if you got hurt. Are you sure?” She nodded, and then she kissed the corner of my mouth before pulling my ear down. “May I punch bread?”

  I laughed. “Do you like to make pastries?” She nodded vigorously. “Hessey, I think El is a baker. She wants to punch the bread.”

  Hessey stepped over. “Do you make cinnamon rolls?” Lassa smiled and nodded. “Can you show me how you cut them?”

  Lassa frowned. Then we watched her begin to search the kitchen. It was Tralla who set out the roll of baker’s thread, making sure to click the counter with it when she did so. Lassa heard the noise, looked over, and pointed.

  “All right,” Hessey said. “What’s her name again?”

  “El, like the letter,” I said.

  “El. This is the baking counter here. I don’t want you near the oven. We need to make breakfast biscuits. I’ll show you.”

  I left Lassa and Sarala and brought the other three to the main room. I showed them around. Mother followed me, and a minute later, Lisbon arrived, too. “There’s a couple of sex slaves in the kitchen. Oh. They’re yours, Claary.”

  “Girls, this is my sister, Lisbon. You may greet her with a hug and a tiny kiss, if she wants one. If she gives you orders related to running the inn, you will follow them. You will not follow other sorts of orders, especially if she tells you to kiss her feet.”

  “Hey!” Lisbon complained. “I owe you for 17 years. Admit it.”

  “I think we’re down to 12 years now,” I said. “Do you want your hugs?”

  “Yes, I want my hugs, and the kisses, too.” The girls squealed and ran over. They took their hugs and delivered their kisses. And then Gigi finished with her arm around Lisbon’s waist. “Comfort,” she whispered.

  “Comfort,” I agreed. At that, Rondi stepped back to my side, and Sareet stepped up to Mother, wrapping an arm around her and laying a head on her shoulder.

  I let them do that for a minute, then I set the girls to preparing the inn. I asked Mother to cheek on the kitchen, and then I taught the girls how to run the bar. I wasn’t going to let them take orders, but they could deliver meals, clean up tables, and anything else that wasn’t complicated.

  * * * *

  They were a stir. Let’s just admit that. They were a stir.

  * * * *

  Mother liked the help. The inn ran beautifully. The girls were fully capable,
as long as I managed them with care. And the report from Hessey was that Sarala was amazing, and Lassa was a gifted baker and even better decorator.

  I told Mother we could come in time to help with breakfast, and stay through the dinner rush, but then she’d have to see to things until closing. Or we could come later but help to close. She asked if I could split the slaves, and I refused. I had to oversee them. “But you have five. You could leave two with me.”

  “Mother, until you have been in the same position they are in, at least as much as I have, the answer is ‘No’. They are my responsibility.”

  “I raised you and managed not to kill you.”

  “Lisbon isn’t 18 yet,” I said. “You’ve got another month of opportunity.”

  “That is unkind. I have been a good mother.”

  “Yes you have, but you don’t know what it’s like on their side. Why do you think they do it this way? Why do you think everyone gets a first time? Think about it, Mother. They are my responsibility, and since when do I shirk my responsibilities.”

  “You have responsibilities here, too, Daughter How much have you been gone when I really needed you?”

  I stared at her. “As I recall, you’ve always supported Tarith Blackbird’s policies. Haven’t I told you once or twice he’s an ass and shouldn’t be trusted?”

  “You’re 21. What do you know?”

  “Well, apparently, on this, I seem to know more than you do, given that Charthan as a country no longer exists because of him.”

  “Why are you bringing that up?”

  “You’re the one who isn’t satisfied. I came with five helpers, two of them apparently quite skilled. And they don’t cost you a dime except to feed them.”

  She stared at me then said, “I’m scared of what’s going to happen.”

  I softened. “So am I.”

  “We need the servers in the evening, but we need the kitchen help in the morning.”

  “I wish I could do more, Mother.”

  “I know,” she said. “Come early. Those pastries were amazing.”

  I smiled. “Weren’t they?”

  “I wouldn't suppose you get to keep them.”

  “Only if they offer themselves.”

  * * * *