The Gift
(Extended Version)
by Trystl
Chapter Six
1
�Your carriage is ready,� Moraka said patting Shalis on the arm. �If you�re going to make it into town before noon, you�d better be leaving soon. I�ll send for the driver and have him come around to the front.�
�Yes, thank you. And did you gather the cleaning supplies? Oh, and I�ll need a box to carry them in.�
Moraka nodded and left; returning after a time with a rough wooden box, not to big, and made of thin slats held together with wire so that it was light enough.
�It�s perfect!� Shalis said taking the box.
Moraka showed her to the pantry, helping her pick out what she would need for cleaning: a bucket, a scrub brush, some rags, a bottle of disinfectant, and some powdered soap which she mixed with water and capped in an empty bottle.
When she had everything Moraka thought she might need, Shalis set the box down by the front door, and went up to Damian�s bedroom to retrieved the envelopes and the packet of poison from their hiding place in the desk. She put them in one of the concealed pockets of the tunic underneath her robe while the key to the office she slipped into a pocket of the robe itself. Then she wrapped herself in a long, fur cloak, and went back down the stairs.
Moraka was waiting with Meggar, a large, quiet man; and one of the best trained fighters among Damian�s guards. When he saw Shalis, he smiled with pleasure, and gave a slight formal bow in greeting.
�Shalis,� Moraka said. �This is Meggar. I�ve asked him to be your driver, and to keep an eye on you. East Safks can be crowded and dangerous this time of day. I�m sure that�s why Damian wanted you to leave before noon, while most of the night people are still asleep, and the streets are relatively quiet and safe. But Meggar can take care of you well enough, I�m sure of that.�
Shalis turned to the soldier, gesturing to the box of cleaning materials. �Would you carry these things for me, Meggar?�
�Of course, miss,� he said, graciously picking up the box and balancing it easily on one hand so that he could hold the door open for her.
The three of them walked out to the carriage.
Meggar loaded the cleaning materials onto the forward seat then offered Shalis his hand, helping her into the coach.
�What time do you expect to be back?� Moraka asked as Meggar climbed inside and closed the door.�Not for three or four hours, I should think,� Shalis said, leaning out the window.
�I�ll make dinner late then.�
Meggar opened the porthole to the forward seat, and took the reigns from their hook, slapping them against the horses. The carriage lurched forward with a creak. �That will be perfect,� Shalis said, waving. And she was pleased with the response it brought to Moraka�s face.
The older woman watched the carriage as it pulled onto the main road and disappeared into the lot of budding trees that lined the roadside along Damian�s estate.
�Where to, miss?�
�Damian�s club. Take Cartues Road up the east side. That�ll avoid the congestion in West Safks, and should save us some time at this hour.�
Shalis sat back and contented herself with looking out the window. Tiny puffs of yellow and white buds were just breaking out on a few bushes and trees. The spring grass had been yellow and withered just a few weeks ago�before the breaking of spring brought the rains�but now it was dark with the brightest greens she could remember. It was a curious delight, to look at the vibrancy of the world around her and the new colors it seemed as if she had never seen before.
Maybe it was true. She was looking at the world with new eyes; it was natural that she would see things in a new way. And if it wasn�t for this time of quiet, riding alone in the carriage with nothing to do, she might not have even noticed, for it was a subtle difference. An ability to perceive distinct shades in the grass or the leaves of different trees that before would have been simply green or red or yellow. Now the hues ran darker as well as brighter.
Lacy young leaves twinkled gently in the breeze. A bird dropped swiftly to the ground and pecked at something, then flew back up into a tree. She heard the twitter of many birds some near some far, and realized that it wasn�t the first time, but before she hadn�t been paying attention.
The wheels clacking over the dry earth and stone lent a deeper rhythm to the higher fluting warbles; and the sound of water running through the channel along the side of the road seemed to form a calming little melody.
�What a lovely day,� Shalis murmured.
�Did you say something?�
She looked at Meggar and wondered that he had chosen to ride inside. The carriage seemed unbearably gloomy.
�I was just noticing how quickly spring has come this year,� she said. �I hope we�ve seen the last of cold weather! I love the spring, it�s my favorite time of the year.�
Damian had never given much thought to the seasons, but Shalis knew that she had spoken truthfully: she loved the spring. Every part of her body told her it was so. She took a deep breath and was filled with a heady warmth of moist sweetness. The smell made her think of the large fragrant flowers that grew blood red early in the spring, and she was not surprised when she saw several large viny bushes filled with flowers growing along the fence row.
�I like autumn best,� Meggar said. �When the leaves are all changing colors; and ther vegetables are ripe from the garden.�
She smiled, closing her eyes, and saw clearly in her mind a beautiful autumn scene of brightly colored trees. The vividness of her memory surprised Shalis. She opened her eyes and looked back out the window, eager to see the autumn colors first hand.
Meggar drove North up East Cartues, as Shalis had suggested. It was a quiet, scenic route through a rich residential area scattered with parks, wooded lots, and fine restaurants and inns. Past East Jawls road the parks began to disappear, houses were smaller and closer together, and mixed freely with a number of small businesses. By the time they reached Slyvin road, warehouses and bulk supply dealerships began to appear: the streets became more populated with every type of person from rich merchants to the poorest beggars.
The solid stone pillars of the North bridge became visible above the buildings long before the water from the river could be heard distinctly above the sound of the channel water.
As they crossed the bridge, the molded stone work made Shalis think of Tereesan�s proposal, and of the solid stone carriages for delivering water. It would be expensive to make wagons using the secret alchemetical process, and the wagons would be heavy, even before the water, but nothing could be made so thin and be as strong, not even porcelain. And the rock would last more years than Shalis would live, unless it was broken by gross carelessness.
The wheels rolled smoothly over reddish stone, falling naturally into the shallow grooves that, over the years, had been worn into the stone by numerous carriages passing over and over the same tracks. Eventually the bridge would have to be repaired, but it had lasted for many years and the repairs were not likely to be needed for many, many more.
�Looks like rain again,� Meggar said pointing to the clouds moving in from the east.
Shalis watched Stores passing by her window; and the crowds of people milling about under the darkening sky. At last they came to the candle and wax shop that was next to Damian�s club. �You can let me out here,� Shalis said
Meggar glanced at her but did not stop.
�I�ll be a couple hours here,� she said. �There�s really no sense in waiting for me.�
Still he did not stop.
�I�ll get a public carriage to take me home,� she said. �I have some money, not so much that you need to worry if someone sees it�but enough to get a carriage home.�
He turned down the back alley sandwiched between Damian�s club and a warehouse. It lead to the establishment�s stable. Here he stopped the carriage and opened the door, extending his hand to help Shalis down.
Instead, she handed him the wooden box of cleaning supplies.�Now you needn�t worry about me any more,� she said stepping down by herself.
Without waiting for Meggar, she took the box from his arms and headed for the back entrance of the club.
Flustered, Meggar quickly gave the stable boy instructions to tend to the horse and carriage; then chased after her. By the time he caught up with her she had already gone half a block. Gently he took her arm, spun her alongside the wall and took the box easily out of her arms. �So,� he said. �Where are we going anyway?�
Shalis smiled, but her voice was cold with more authority than Meggar would have guessed possible. �I appreciate your concern,� she said, putting her arms firmly back around the box. �But I asked for a driver, not a wet nurse!� Meggar released his grip and stood back, saying nothing�but it was obvious that he was surprised and puzzled at Shalis�s outburst. �I know that I look very young,� she continued. �But I assure you I can take care of myself. This is not the first time I�ve been in this part of town...�
�So I�ve noticed, but you weren�t...�
�And,� Shalis said forcefully, cutting him off. �I doubt that it will be the last. I�ve never needed you before, and I don�t want or need you along to protect me now. Do I make myself clear?�
Meggar nodded glumly. �I just thought...�
Again she cut him off. �I can do my own thinking!�
They stood for a moment facing one another in silence, while Meggar debated what to do. Finally he shrugged, shaking off his nervous energy, and backed slowly away from her. �I�ll wait in the carriage then,� he said lamely.
�Meggar,� Shalis said, her voice still stern, but edged with a friendlier fullness. �I really do appreciate what your trying to do, I�m just not used to it. It...makes me feel... funny. I�ve always been very independent... I don�t want to become someone�s house pet, now. You understand, it�s nothing against you.� She smiled. �I�m really not sure how long I�ll be, if you want to go home. I promise, I�ll be alright!�
His face had brightened with a smile as she spoke. �I understand,� he said, turning without hesitation, and heading back towards the stables.
Shalis watched him until he disappeared into the shadows of the alley. She still didn�t trust him to leave her alone. It was probably Moraka�s doing, the meddlesome old biddy! She was only worried about what Damian would do if Shalis somehow got hurt; but Shalis could not risk having two guards in Damian�s office. One guard she could trick, but having a witness would definitely complicate things.
She dug into the secret pocket of her tunic, and found the paper with Damian�s orders to let her clean his office. Then, holding it in her hand, she knocked on the back door: the private door the employees used; and where the deliveries came.
Several seconds passed.
Nothing!
Again she rapped on the steel banded door. Hard enough this time that her knuckles ached. She heard the peephole open and stood back a little so the guard could get a look at her. She heard the bolt sliding; and the door opened on a huge muscular man. It was Baraan: a full-blood Srowidian, but tall and muscular for his phylo; with curly red hair, dull green eyes, pale skin and an erratic temperament. He was a favorite with the women, and now Shalis knew why: his sex lure was strong. She could feel her body reacting to him already, despite her revulsion at the thought of his touch. She was excited by his scent, fascinated by the ripples in his arms, and the way his tunic lay across the bulk of his chest.
Seduction wouldn�t be necessary with him, for she was having the same effect on him as he was having on her; and Shalis knew his reputation. He was easily distracted by a pretty face. Damian tolerated him because he liked the man, and because he was clever enough not to let his distractions seriously comprimise his work.
Shalis handed him the paper and stood waiting for him to read it. For a long moment he just looked at her. She found it unsettling and looked away, a cold sweat surging over her face and back. Her hands were shaking by her side; and yet she could feel a dampness between her legs. She bit into her lip, nipping it with sharp teeth and sucking when she tasted the salt of blood, then took a deep breath, forcing her breathing to slow.
�Cleaning, huh?� Baraan scratched the red stubble on his chin, then smiled and nodded, stepping just far enough aside to give her room to squeeze past him.
Taking the opening, she pushed past him into the room.
An electrical shock ran through her body as her arm bruised against his chest, but she forced herself not to look at him. She could feel his eyes on her as she walked towards the stairs. Never had she been so sure that someone was watching her. His stare was like a physical pressure, caressing her.
�Wait a minute, little cherub!� he said, his voice thickly sweet; his smile eager and vicious.
She stopped, giving him time to catch up with her. When he did, he grabbed her arm, tight and she nearly dropped the box of cleaning supplies as a shock wave splashed through her. He pulled her away from the stairs, taking the box from her in one hand and holding her closer to his body than necessary.
�I can�t give you permission to go up there,� he said with a crooked grin. �You�ll have to find Shay and see what he says.�
Shalis fumed. She knew Shay would have nothing to say one way or another, but she couldn�t think of any way to explain how she would know that, so she had no choice but to follow the wild goose chase.
�Who is Shay?�
Baraan flashed an attractive smile. �He�s a fat little man, about your height. He runs the joint. I�d take you back to find him but I�m not supposed to leave my station. Don�t worry though, just go down that hall and wander around for a while and if you don�t find him, he�ll probably find you. I�ll even watch your box of things if you like.�
Damn you, Baraan! Shalis thought.
He was right about Shay finding her, and she didn�t want to have a run in with the fat little man, so she stood by the door, waiting for the time to pass.
It was obvious enough why Baraan almost insisted that she leave her box; and it wasn�t so she wouldn�t have to drag it around. He wanted to check it, and she suspected he would call the exterior guard to watch his post while he escorted her up to clean the office. It was all standard procedure, and expected.
She sighed and leaned against the wall. Baraan would need a little time to finish, and it wouldn�t due to go back to soon or he would know she hadn�t talked to Shay.
A lot of noise was coming from one of the side doors at the far end of the hall. It led to one of the main rooms of the club; and from the noise, Shalis guessed the entertainment was probably a fight. Nothing else could draw enthusiasm like the fights.
Most of the doors in the hall were open, and she glanced inside at the girls in various stages of undressed. A few sat idly, taking a break. Others were changing for coming performances, or retouching the paint on their face.
They paid no attention to Shalis.
�What�s your problem, doll?� Shalis recognized Shay�s voice, and turned around to look at his tense face. As always he seemed on the verge of exploding in a rage. �You look lost.�
Shalis�s mind went blank, and she noticed angrily that she was trembling; but she could not help it. Biting her lip, she managed to stammer: �I�m n-not one of your girls, I�m...�
�Is that right?� If she hadn�t known Shay, the thick sarcasm in his voice would have been the only clue that the surprise on his animated face was not sincere. Shalis took a step back as he reached for her arm, but it would not do to turn and run; and nothing short of that would keep him from taking a hold of her. �Alright,� he said, walking around behind her. �Who are you?�
She wanted to keep him in front of her, but he put his hand gently against her chin and positioned her head so that she was looking forward.
�Your name, child,� he said.
�Shalis.�
He pinched the clasp that released her fur cloak, and took it from her shoulders, drapping it over his arm. His free hand squeezed her neck muscles gently; then leaning forward, he put his face close to her, and took a deep breath. His hand moved down her side, grabbed a handful of her robe and lifted it, exposing her legs for his scrutiny.�Who let you in here?�
Shalis was unable to find her voice for several moments. She closed her eyes, raging at the intense prickly heat in her body. She knew Shay could not, in any way, hurt her�but she clenched her hands nervously. Shay was smiling when she opened her eyes. He was toying with her.
�Damian sent me... but Baraan let me...�
He cut her off. �Are you a dancer, then?� he teased, letting go of her robe. �Damian always did have an eye for dancers.�
�I�m not a dancer!� Her face flushed with embarrassment as she remembered how poorly Shalis had danced that night at Tereesan�s. He had enjoyed watching her, but not because she could dance�it was for the same reason Shay was enjoying his questioning of her, when from her close it should be obvious that she wasn�t here to be one of his girls.
Shay dismissed her panic with a wave of his hand. �Forget art. Anyone can take off their clothes. You�d get used to it.�
�No,� Shalis said, shaking her head emphatically. She had no intention of dancing in front of a roomful of drunken men. They would undoubtedly invite her to sit with them, and expect her to be free with her favors and compliments; and more than one would want to take her into one of the smaller back rooms.
�Ah, then!� Shay said quickly before she could offer her explanations and end his little game. �Your to small for the fights. Do you sing?� He curled his lips back in a thoughtful snarl that made his face frightening to see. Shalis knew that he was imagining her in the fights, and the idea seemed to please him. He eyed Damian�s choker, and seemed suddenly to recognize it.
�No. Damian said I was supposed to clean his office while he was away; but the guard out back wont let me go up. He said I was to find someone named Shay, and ask him about it.�
The tick in Shay�s eye began twitching; and he clenched his teeth looking towards the ceiling as if fascinated by the support beams, but Shalis saw a gleam in his eye that did not match his show of anger. Slowly he closed his eyes with a deep, shaky breath. His face bulged, as if his clenched teeth were the only thing holding back the storm which would otherwise be inevitable. �Look doll face,� he said through tight lips, and there was a chill in his breath. �I don�t care what you do for Damian. That�s not my end. But unless you�re going to dance or mingle with some customers...I want you out of my area.�
She hesitated. �Couldn�t you just tell Baraan to...�
�Listen, little chit,� he bit off each word, and his eyes glowed hotly. �I don�t have time for holding your hand. If Baraan wont let you go up, you�ll just have to wait for Damian.� He pressed his face close to Shalis�s, and raised his voice loudly. �Now, stop cluttering up my hallway.�
Shalis swallowed hard, clenching her fist as she turned around, and forced herself to walk away down the hall. By the time she reached the door she was out of breath. She looked back to make sure Shay was not still watching, then she clung to the door trying to compose herself before she had to face Baraan again.
Baraan was talking with another guard: a smaller man named Mershekk. He was of mixed breeding, dark and wiry, with pointed ears and blue cat-eyes. They looked at Shalis in unison, and she was certain they had been talking about her. Baraan nodded slightly towards her as he leaned over to whisper something in Mershekk�s ear.
Things are shaping up as planned.
She tried to still the visible shaking of her body, and took a deep breath.
�Did you find him?� Baraan asked.
She could not stop herself from trembling, but managed to smile easily enough. �Shay said to go on up,� she said, keeping most of the tremor from her voice.
�Well then,� Baraan said with a wink. �I guess I better take you on up, hadn�t I?�
Shalis smiled out of relief. �Would you get my box for me?� she ask, summoning a more sultry pose than she had expected she could; and her body, as if it didn�t realize the trickiest part lay ahead, had stopped it�s trembling. She imagined Baraan�s hands touching her. For a moment she wished he would turn her back out onto the streets, but instead he picked up the box and started up the stairs. She followed, keeping a little distance between them.
�Did Damian give you a key?� Baraan asked, when they were almost to the top of the stairs. �I don�t have one.�
�He gave me one.� Shalis said, letting her voice carry a privileged tone.
Barran nodded, duly impressed. �Damian�s very secretive,� he said. They had reached the landing, and Shalis dug into her pocket for the key. �I�m surprised he wanted you to clean his office�let along gave you the key! You must have done something special to gain his trust.�
Yes, something very special!
Shalis pushed the door open and walked into the room. �I suppose,� she said. �that he would have given the key to someone here at the club, but he left in such a hurry: important business of some sort.�
�Oh?� Baraan said setting the box down. He went to the windows and opened the shutters. �Where did he go?�
She shrugged. �He didn�t say... only that he might be gone for quite some time, and he doesn�t want the place to be run down when he returns.� She looked at him squarely and said. �I�ve really come just to see how much cleaning the place needs.�
A glint came to Baraan�s eye, and he smiled. His eyes never wavered. The passion was swelling up, again. She found it almost impossible to look away from his persistent stare, despite the rush of heat to her face and body.
He touched her chin and brushed some stray hairs out of her face; and she leaned her cheek against his strong hand. �And he left you here...all alone? A beautiful girl like you!�
Her eyes sparkled with delight. �Do you think so?�
�Beautiful and passionate.�
Shalis pulled back a little from him, but she was careful not to break the contact where their skin touched. Was this a trick of Baraan, to test her? Surely it was happening to fast.
He said nothing, made no move to stop her. She looked up at him, hoping that he wouldn�t give up. She let all of her bodies longing creep into her expression. �It isn�t right,� she said into the silence.
He seemed surprised at the sincerity in her voice and turned away from her. �I suppose it isn�t.� He found a stick-match and began lighting candles about the room. After a moment he came back to her. �Was it right to leave you?� he said, speaking slow and deliberate. �You�re dressed like his lady, but he�s given you chores fit for a menial slave. Is that the kind of man who deserves your loyalty?�
�This is a confidence, not an obligation,� Shalis said, putting just the right amount of self doubt into her voice. �You yourself said it was surprising that he would trust me... Should I repay that trust by betraying him at the first moment? He has not been gone even a full day!�
�Will it be easier then when he�s been gone for several days?� Baraan smiled, and came closer to her; she could feel his presence the same way one can smell a storm in the air. It made her feel light and airy�glowing with both an inner and an outer warmth.
�No,� she said coyly. �But you might be harder to resist, and I should feel less blame if his memory were not so strong.�
Baraan�s smile widened; he reached out and took her hand. �There�s no need for guilt,� he said pulling her close to him. �We are both free to choose what we do; and those who do not know that we choose can not be angered by our choice.�
�It�s not Damian,� she whispered. �It�s me, I can�t...�
Leaning forward, he cut her off with a feral kiss. A burst of warm soothing fire coursed across her lips, taking her breath away. She closed her eyes, felt herself sinking into a deep relaxing void; and felt a deep pulsing pressure where ever he touched her.
When she opened her eyes it took a moment to focus on what was happening: she was sitting on Baraan�s knee, facing away from him�her limbs limp and lifeless, her head resting against his chest and shoulder�as he leaned against Damian�s desk. He had one arm wrapped around her waist, cupping her breast through the fabric of her robe and tunic; his other arm was pressed across her stomach, his fingers exploring the throbbing gap between her legs.
He was moving to fast, she thought in a sudden panic.
Strength flowed back into her arms and body and she tried to squirm free of his grasp.
�Don�t fight it,� he breathed, grasping her none to gently around the waist and leg; and lifting her easily off the ground. He set her face-down over the desk, pressing her chest against the cool wood; her toes just touched the ground. He gathered up her robe and pushed the hem of her tunic about her waist, pressing his hardness against her bared buttocks.
She arched her back, her body responding despite her revulsion and the thwarting of her plan. �No, Stop,� she cried weakly, fighting her own emotions, and flailing at him without any accuracy or effect. �Please, not like this,� she pleaded, trying to turn herself around.
He let his weight pressed her down onto the wooden desktop and ran his wet tongue behind her ear. �Tell me you don�t want it,� he whispered, gently biting the fleshy lobe.
�I...I don�t,� she gasped.
�You are a liar!� He held her down with one hand and opened his britches with the other, freeing his upright member. It rubbed against her legs. She tensed with a sudden shudder. A tiny shock of delight surged through her as he guided it back and forth over her soft folds.
Baraan laughed, and a small tremor was in his own voice as he spoke: �You can lie with your mouth,� he said. �But your body tells the truth.� And with that he entered her from behind with a quick violent thrust.
She cried out in a broken gasp, throwing her head back; her hair draping over his shoulders as he pressed his waist firmly against her. Without thought she reached over her back and caught his head by the hair; none to gently pulling his face down to her lips. She kissed his nose, his closed eyes, and then his eager mouth. His hands were on her hips and waist: pulling and pushing; forcing his body against her in a desperate rhythm. And everywhere they touched an electrical pulse coursed through her body. His hand found her breast, tweaked her nipple, and she caressed the hand tenderly. He lifted her off the ground, and she gasped�arching her back, and opening her legs wider; her own weight driving him deeper.
Baraan cried out with a shudder that wracked his whole body, and in exhaustion, he fell forward in a loss of control that pressed Shalis sharply against the table. For several moments he lay there: very heavy and still�only the regularity of his breathing, indicated that he was alive.
Shalis was spent as well; but she felt a new source of energy pooling up inside her where their skin touched: along these places there was a faint tingling, that was quickly becoming uncomfortable. She moved beneath him, and he rolled away from her, sinking into the chair behind the desk.
He watched her as she smoothed her tunic down around her hips and brushed her hair out of her face. �I need a drink after that,� she said. Unsteadily she walked to the bar and turned a glass upright. �How about you?�
Baraan nodded watching her carefully as she set up another glass.
�Is Kumiss and vitriol alright?�
�I like the red vitriol,� he said. �Very dark.�
�Blood red?� Shalis asked, daring him with a smile. He shrugged and she stooped down to look in the cabinets, rummaging around with one hand as if she were looking for the red vitriol, although she knew right where it was. At the same time she dug both packets of powder out of the secret pocket in her tunic with the other hand. Most of the red vitriol she poured into a bowl. Then she emptied both packets into the remainder of the red vitriol, and left the paper wrappings on the cabinet shelf where he couldn�t see them.
�Ah, here it is,� she said, swirling the cruet of vitriol around as she stood up. �There�s not much left, but plenty for a few drinks.�
The white, phidmilk was on the top of the bar. Carefully she removed its stopper and poured a share into each glass; then using the dropper in the red vitriol and a spoon for stirring she dispersed three drops into a glass for Baraan.
She looked up at him and raised her eyebrows questioningly. �Blood red?� She asked baiting him with a teasing tone. �Or will more than three be to strong for you?�
�You can make it four,� he said with a grin.
She smiled, greatly relieved as she put another drop into his glass. With any luck four drops would be enough to put him out for a little while.
She put a single drop of it in her own glass, stirring it gently. Then she brought Baraan his blood red, and raised her glass in an informal toast. He touched his glass against hers, and took a sip.
Shalis took a swallow of the light golden liquor, holding it in her mouth to savor the rich, flavor. It seemed to her the taste was a little more bitter, than she remembered. It was not actually unpleasant, but it puzzled her. The powder was supposed to be tasteless. The vitriol was new, and the stopper was on tight...what else could it be. She took another sip, as she walked towards the box of cleaning supplies.
It shouldn�t take long for the powder to work, she thought, taking the dusting feather from the box and brushing her hands through the soft quills.
It did not take long.
Baraan simply fell asleep in Damian�s chair, with his mouth open and his head lolled to one side.
When Shalis carefully removed the empty glass from his hand so that it wouldn�t dropped on the floor, he became restless�but he did not wake. Setting the glass on the desk she carefully listened to the rhythm of his breathing until she was sure that he was deep in sleep; then she went to the safe and turned the dial until it opened.
Damian�s seigniory had its own little box, stocked with wax a tiny fire bowl, a squeeze can of liquid fuel, a little melting thimble and a pair of tweezers shaped to hold the thimble for pouring the wax.
Shalis grabbed the box and the key that opened its lock; closed the door to the safe; and stuffed the seigniory box-set into her cleaning supplies�down under the rags where it would not be seen by a casual glance. Then she took out the bucket, dropped one of the rags into it and poured in one of the bottles of water. She added enough disinfectant to make it obvious, by the smell, that she was using it. Starting in the corner and working her way to the door, she scrubbed the floor thoroughly. She was almost done, and Baraan was still not awake yet when Mershekk came up the stairs. Shalis heard his footsteps on the wooden landing outside the office, and looked up to see him peeking through the door: a devious grin marring his lips when he saw Baraan asleep in Damian�s chair.
Walking over to the desk, he picked up Baraan�s empty goblet, sniffed at the reddened Kumiss puddled at the bottom, and wrinkled his nose in disgust and wonder. �How many of these has he had?� Mershekk asked.
�Just the one,� she said.
Mershekk grinned�Baraan was always bragging about his ability to hold his liquor�then he shook Baraan by the shoulder. �Wake up, you lazy slug,� he said in a loud angry voice; but Shalis could see the glint of evil humor in his eye.
Baraan snorted in response but did not wake, so Mershekk shook a little harder, and raised his voice. �Baraan,� he said, frowning when there was still no response. He looked at Shalis as if waiting for some explanation; but she offered none, and he turned his attention back to his friend, slapping Baraan lightly across the face. �Come on,� he said. �Wake up!� He slapped again, harder, and Baraan begin to stir: he groaned and raised his hand to the mark on his face, then rubbed his eyes.
Abruptly he sat up and looked around �What�s going on?� He asked jumping to his feet. Mershekk stepped back, a little startled; and Baraan sat back down holding his head, obviously dizzy from standing up to fast. He ran his fingers through his hair, and looked at his friend standing over him with a tense expression on his face.
Mershekk began laughing. �Take it easy,� he said. �I just wanted to see how you were making out with...� he nodded towards Shalis.
Baraan looked over at her and shrugged. �I did alright,� he said with a grin.
She did not look their way, but her face turned bright red. They have to know I�m listening, she thought. They were speaking in normal tones; and she was sure they were deliberately teasing her.
�It looks to me like she was just a little more than you could handle,� Mershekk said
Baraan agreed with a satisfied smile. �Her touch is like strong drink: it rushes to the head...She has the Srowidian curse, stronger than I�ve felt before!�
The shock on Mershekk�s face seemed genuine; but there was heavy sarcasm in his voice. �Now I understand what happened: she was too strong for you!�
In more ways than one, she thought.
Baraan responded coldly. �The curse works both ways for me,� he said. �I�m also more sensitive than most...her scent is almost as strong as mine.�
�But she had the time to clean the floor while you sleep like a baby,� Mershekk laughed. �How is that?�
�You�ll find out how it is!� Baraan growled. He jumped to his feet, grabbing Mershekk by the collar.
�Alright,� Mershekk said raising his hands to placate Baraan�s wrath. �I don�t doubt your word...It�s just that she doesn�t look Srowidian.�
�Look at her eyes,� Baraan said. He turned towards Shalis and said: �Come over here, girl.�
She looked at him coldly. �My name is Shalis. And I am not your slave,� she said. �Don�t give me commands. I�m not likely to obey them.�
�She is a feisty one!� Mershekk said grimly.
Baraan smiled warmly, and winked at her; although she could not be sure if it was intentional or simply a twitch. �I�m sorry, Shalis.� he stressed her name heavily. �Would you come over here, so that we might take a look at you.�
She didn�t move for several moments. At last she stood up and tossed her rag into the box of cleaning things. �I think I should be going now,� she said.
�We haven�t gotten a look at you yet!� Mershekk wiped his finger across the desk top and looked at his finger. �Besides, you really ought to dust before you go.�
Baraan stood up and stretched, a smug smile on his face. �I�m still feeling a little groggy,� he said. �I think I�ll walk around a little; and catch a breath of fresh air. It�s about time to make the rounds outside anyway. But you take a look at her eyes, Mershekk! You�ll see what I mean.�
�Go on, get some air,� Mershekk said moving closer to Shalis and placing his hand on her shoulder in an overly intimate way. �I�ll stay with her until she�s finished.�
Baraan nodded and was out the door quickly. They listened as he walked down the steps, then Mershekk turned back to Shalis and took her chin in his hand and tilted her head back. �You really should dust before you go,� Mershekk said. For a moment their eyes meet, then she looked away.
She could smell his masculine scent, but the excitement aroused by him was weak and did not blot out her aversion to the sexual advances of males as Baraan�s touch had done. �If you think you�ll get some of what he got,� she said, pulling away from him. �I�m afraid you�ll be disappointed.�
He let her pull away, watching her for a moment: she picked up the bucket of soapy water and went to the landing in the hall to throw it out the window into the back alley.
When she came back into the room, Mershekk was looking into the cabinets under the bar. Suddenly Shalis remembered the two, crumpled packets which had held the sleeping powder: she had left them on the shelves beneath the bar, next to the dish of red vitriol. Why didn�t I Hide them, and empty the vitriol while Baraan was asleep Suddenly her palms were damp, and her legs felt to weak to support her weight. For a moment she was to frightened to think, and almost ran, but at the last moment she remembered what she had come for. She could not leave without Damian�s seigniory.
Walking to the box of cleaning materials, she packed the bucket, rags and other supplies into it. �I�m ready to go,� she said, picking up the box.
When Mershekk stood up there was a frown on his face; and his eyes were dark and hard. �I�ll bet you are,� he said holding up the two empty packets. �But first tell me about these?�
Shalis shrugged. �What about them,� she said, knowing that was a dumb way to respond, but unable to think of anything else.
Angrily Mershekk strode towards her. Grabbing her arm he threw her into a chair against the wall: her head whipped back, savagely, but she managed to hold onto the wooden box. Mershekk stood over her, a terrifying smile on his face. He�s enjoying this, she thought.
�You�re not a very good liar,� he said, poking her sharply in the chest. �So speak up, and save yourself some grief! Now, I want some straight answers.�
She still couldn�t look at him and she didn�t know what to say. I can�t afford to tell the truth, she thought. What can I say? She closed her eyes; trying to think of something. He didn�t give her very much time before slapping her across the face with the back of his hand. She reeled from the force of the blow. Everything turned black for an instant. She was aware of was the wooden box slipping from her hands, but could not stop it. A hand was grabbing her by the tunic, and a voice was shouting at her.
Slowly what was happening came back into focus: Mershekk�s hand was firmly around her arm and he jerked her to her feet, pushing her towards the door. He was going to take her downstairs, and she had lost her hold on the wooden box.
I mustn�t leave it here, she thought in a panic. I have to do something!
As Mershekk pushed her forward she turned her foot sideways, letting her ankle twist as she put her weight on it. The squeak of agony was only half faked, as her leg gave way under her.
�Get up!� He said, pulling her up by the arm.
�My ankle,� she cried, carefully testing her weight on it. �I don�t think I can stand on it!�
He let her balance on one foot. Again she put weight on her leg and there was a mild twinge of pain in her ankle. It was not to bad to walk on, but it would be enough to make her act seem believable: she tried to take a step and collapsed. If he hadn�t held her up she would have fallen again.
�I can�t walk on it,� she said. �It hurts.�
Mershekk growled; but helped balance her with one hand and took a closer look at her ankle. She put her hand on his shoulder, raised her leg to allow him a better look, and then kicked him between the legs. It worked better than she had suspected, although it hurt her ankle. There was dull smack. For a moment he just froze, and she grabbed him by the hair and brought up her knee. His nose flattening against his face. A trickle of blood starting as he fell backwards.
She ran to the wooden box; stubbed her finger reaching in to get the seigniory box-set. When she had it, she ran for the door. Mershekk was trying to sit up, as she looked back from the doorway; then she bound down the stairs. She hoped more than ran, and didn�t dare take them more than one at a time, clinging to the railing the whole way and almost slipping more than once. She was ready to babble hysterically about how something terrible had happened to Mershekk, but Baraan wasn�t in the lobby. She ran to the front door and out into darkening evening. Thirty yards down the alley she heard Mershekk kicking the door behind her. When she looked back, he was barreling down the alley after her. Then she tripped! She got up and ran on, but she didn�t dare look back again.
He was gaining on her.
A burning sensation began in her ankle. Not pain exactly, but something was wrong! She ignored it. Her breath became cold and sharp at the back of her throat; and her leg muscles seemed heavy and sluggish.
Out of the alley she darted�across a softly carpeted lawn; around a corner and down another alley. I can�t go on much longer, she thought, cutting through a yard.
Then noticing a shed, she lunged into its shadows.
Did he see me come in here, she wondered, trying to still her breathing. The air was heavy and the close walls seemed to amplify the sound. She walked deeper into the dark. The air smelled of earth and wood. Her foot caught on a pile of boards and she fell piercing her leg on a nail. When she pried the nail out of her flesh, she was barely able to hold back the scream. A dampness oozed from a tender hole.
�I know your in there, little girl! Come on out.� Mershekk was breathing heavily, and she could see him in silhouette leaning over to catch his breath in the doorway. �It�ll only make it worse on you if you don�t come out!�
Slowly she stood up.
He heard me, she thought gripping the board with the nail as she tried to still her noisy breathing. The pounding of her heart was a painful pressure in her head and chest; she was weak, and short of breath. Putting her hand out in the dark to avoid tripping again, she moved quietly. The weight of the board in her hand felt good and gave her courage.
It was solid.
�Too late,� Mershekk said. �I�m coming in after you!�
In the dim light she could see him edging forward through the doorway, waving a shinny object with his hand.
Suddenly she was angry! He wants to kill me, she thought. Again she became aware of the solid piece of wood in her hand; and before she knew it she was swinging the board with all her might. She heard a harsh snapping sound, and saw Mershekk�s head whip sideways at an unnatural angle.
Then he collapsed in a heap on the ground.
For several moments she stood over him, breathing heavily and staring at the shadowy lump that was Mershekk�s body. There was no movement she could see. Outside it was dark and quiet.
That means Baraan didn�t see us running away from the building, if he had he would have followed!
At last Shalis dropped the board and edged forward, kneeling down beside the body. In the dark she found his hands and pried them open, he had the knife in one but the other was empty. So were his pocket. She couldn�t find the empty packets of sleeping powder anywhere.
Where did he put them? He must have dropped them in Damian�s office, she thought. If Baraan find them he may put the pieces together...But if he�s still not around I could sneak up and find them before he begins to suspect.
She looked out of the shed�breathed a sigh, although it was not entirely relief; and hugged the seigniory box-set to her breasts. Then she hurried down the alley back towards the club. Before entering she took a look at her leg. When she had washed off in a puddle, she found that the nail wound was not as bad as she had thought. She covered it up with a little spot of mud, then hide the seigniory box in some bushes.
Before opening the door, she paused to take a deep breath.
Wherever Baraan was, he was still not back; so Shalis quickly went up the stairs and closed the door to Damian�s office behind her.
She found the empty packets on the floor beside the bar and stuffed them into one of her pockets. Then she poured the remainder of the red vitriol back into its clear glass cruet, wiped it out with a dirty rag.
Before leaving she tidied up the box of cleaning supplies, pushing it into a corner and snuffed out the candles. She could not lock the office door without the key, but she closed it and went down the stairs.
Baraan was in the lobby when she came down the stairs.
�Where�s Mershekk?� He asked.
Shalis shrugged and gave her best look of disdain. �I managed to convince him that I wasn�t interested.�
Baraan grinned, apparently pleased for a bit of ammunition to tease his friend with.
He bought it, Shalis thought, fighting to keep her pleasure out of her expression. I can�t believe he bought it.
�I guess he went looking for me,� Baraan said.
She shrugged, and walked towards the door, but Baraan stepped in front of her. �You�ll come see me again,� he said with an inflection that only hinted at a question.
�I don�t think so,� Shalis said stepping around him. �I think I�ll find a slave girl to do it next time.� She stopped at the doorway, and turned back to him, about to say more but she thought better of it and smiled instead.
Baraan smiled as well. �You�ll come see me again,� he said.
Starting in the corner and working her way to the door, she scrubbed the floor thoroughly. When she was almost done Baraan woke. He sat up yawning and rubbed the sleepiness out of his eyes.
�It�s about time you decided to wake up!� Shalis said.
Baraan yawned again.
�I can�t believe I fell asleep,� he said.
�Well you did,� she said with a teasing smile. �I nearly finished this whole floor while you were taking your little nap.�
�Are you about done then?�
�Just about,� she said, turning her attention back to the floor.