No,” Jukiko said pressing her hand to her mouth. She could not believe that she could have been saved only to be made a whore. “No, I cannot, I will not” “I’m afraid you have to.” Mundia replied. “Come on it’s not so bad, I mean it won’t be the first …” realisation dawned, “Oh! You’re not a virgin are you?” At that moment Miam entered the room, “Who’s a virgin?” she asked leaping up on a seat in her peculiar fashion. “Rehliza,” said Mundia quickly. “Not surprised,” scoffed Miam, “Who would want her, skinny goat. What’s a matter with long face there?” Yukiko tried to straighten up and looked at the dwarf. She didn’t like her, and found her spiteful and prickly. She found that she wanted to hit her for all her hurtful jibes, and yet another part of her felt sorry for her. If her face was anything to go by then she would have been a good looking woman had the gods not decreed otherwise, and her attitude was no doubt due to her stunted body. “Leave her alone Miam.” “Leave her alone Miam.” the dwarf mimicked Mundia’s accent. “What is it with you two anyway? Sick of men are you Mundia, got yourself a little friend?” Mundia stood up and walked over to Miam something purposeful in her stride. Miam saw it and shrank back, and then fled her seat. She was too slow and Mundia grabbed her. “Look you stunted bit of offal, your mind’s as twisted as your body. Leave her alone, and leave me alone, and keep your dirty little remarks to yourself.” Her hands had closed around Miam throat, the girl turned an unhealthy colour and her eyes began to become wild in panic. With a final squeeze Mundia let go, and Miam scrambled away and ran to the door. “I’ll get you for this you blue bitch,” she shouted in a shrill voice. Mundia chased after her a few steps, rather to send her fleeing, than with any real intention of catching her. She turned back muttering in her own language. Yukiko felt trapped. Suddenly the peace of the past few weeks had been shattered. She could not stay here. How could she escape? He mind whirled and tumbled as she tried to think clearly. “Help me get away Mundia,” she pleaded The girl sat beside her and looked into her face. “Yukiko, it is not possible. If you run away from your bond holder then they can kill you. Where would you go? You have told me that you know nobody, but that man who helped you. Anyway, how far do you think you would get? Your face is too easily recognisable. Believe me it is not too unpleasant and sometimes …” She broke off and laughed. “I haven’t told you about my little Taska have I? He was so funny. Yukiko listened to the story and in those few brief minutes she calmed down and could think a little more easily. Finishing her tale Mundia pushed aside a stray strand of hair from Yukiko’s face. “Think of the long term and not the short suffering. Eventually you will have paid off your debt and will be free again. You are lucky, I am a slave.” “But I am frightened Mundia. I do not know about men, my father kept them all away. He said in his country a girl keeps herself for her husband.” “What an odd idea. Surely a husband would prefer a trained mare than one unschooled? Look, if you want my advice, find one of the nice boys amongst the servants. Somebody kind and take him to you. Then it will not be so bad when the Queen commands you.” Yukiko looked up, a little embarrassed, “Who do you think?” They fell to discussing the merits of the male servants, but as things turned out there was no opportunity to follow up their deliberations. As she went about her daily tasks Yukiko thought that life was not as sweet as it had appeared. She tried to be philosophical about it. Her father had taught her to accept what could not be changed, and not to make herself ill worrying over what was inevitable. At the same time he had also preached that life was what you made it, and she should fight, and not humbly submit to the will of others. She could not help but a smile at the memory. He had always begun such advice with the words “There is a saying of the wise ones …” She knew that he really made it up himself to suite the circumstances and his own will. How she missed him now to tell her what to do. She had always relied on him, he was always so sure, so strong. Now she had only herself. Should she submit to a life of luxurious whoredom, or make her escape into freedom and poverty, where she would be outlawed and probably caught and punished? “Yukiko!” The voice cut into her thoughts and she jumped and turned. She was in the Queen’s audience chamber, seated at the foot of her ornate couch. The Queen was scowling at her. “If you cannot pay attention Yukiko I will get Sabaata to give you a thrashing to wake you up.” Yukiko muttered her apologies, but the Queen tutted and raised her eyes to the sky. “Well, go on girl play, play. I’ll need something soothing if I’m to see that loathsome creature they call my son.” She turned to her companion. “How I could have given birth to such a monster I will never know.” Yukiko began to play, the strings vibrating beneath her fingers, picking out a pleasant melody. She often played for the Queen since she had revealed her musical talent. The vast wooden door swung open and a man entered and strode across to greet the Queen. Yukiko had never seen him before, but one look at him told her that it was Telepinus, the most disliked of the royal family. He was a big man but had let himself go to fat. He was richly attired and his black beard had been oiled and curled as had his long hair. His small clear blue eyes were lost in round face, and a typically straight Hittite nose grew above fleshy and moist lips. Yukiko suppressed a shudder. She had heard the stories about him. He was lascivious and cruel, taking immense joy in every conceivable perversion. He hated foreigners and it was a sad day for any Egyptian girl or woman who fell into his hands, for he hated them the most of all. “Mother, a pleasure to see you.” he said as he waddled across the floor. His eyes everywhere but on the Queen. They slid over all the women, and expertly and rapidly appraising each one. His eyes past over her, moved on for a split second and then returned. She was so shocked at his look that she actually missed some notes. She saw his eyes narrow a fraction and his tongue slip over his lips. In that instant she felt like a cornered animal as his look seemed to violate her. Never before had she seen such evil in a mere glance. She shifted her position and pulled at her dress in an unconscious attempt to cover and hide herself. She began another tune but her fingers were still shaking. She pulled herself together and soon the music flowed softly again. She lost herself in the music heedless of the conversation between the Queen and Telepinus. Suddenly she felt uncomfortable and glanced up. The blood drained from her face as she found the Prince staring at her. The look seemed both calculating and lascivious. After a moment he turned his attention back to his mother. “I’ll think about it Telepinus,” said the Queen, holding her hand out to be kissed, for she could not bear to be more affectionate. Telepinus extended a podgy hand, the stubby fingers be-ringed, and lightly touched the Queen’s. He bent with difficulty raising his mother’s hand, but it never reached his lips. As he straightened up he again glanced at Yukiko, and, snake-like his tongue again passed over his lips. He then turned and walked to the door. Yukiko watched him go, thankful that he was leaving. Miam was squatting on a stool near the door stitching a wall hanging. She looked up as the Prince went by. Yukiko was unsure, but she thought she noticed a fraction of a nod between the two. It was so brief that it may not have happened at all. ________ Miah had a fretful journey back home and felt guilty about cutting short his work and leaving an underling to firm matters up and to tidy up the loose ends, something he would never have usually contemplated. He knew that he was acting out of character and it concerned him. He was therefore talking the problem at its source so that it could be resolved and he could again take charge of his life. With this in mind he disembarked at Crete in quick order and made his way to Muralsu’s house without even calling at home first. He had spent sleepless nights planning their future and luxuriating in the daydream of the admiring glances and jealous comments that he would be subject to with her on his arm when they returned to Egypt. At first he had qualms about marrying a woman of the black races and had never initially contemplated such a union. He had liked her from the start and though he always had the basest of thought about her he had controlled them as any civilised man would. His feelings had grown so strong that he disregarded her race and had plucked up the courage to ask her to wife. With her somewhat surprising acceptance he thought that matters would now settle down. In fact they were worse. Knowing she had agreed to be his, he couldn’t wait and had thus returned early. It was therefore with crushing disappointment that he found that she was not at home, and had even left the island. “Left, left, what do you mean? She can’t have gone, I mean why?” He had to restrain himself from shaking the girl who had been left in charge of the house. He had a horrible hollow feeling in his stomach that she had abandoned him the minute his back was turned. She had misled him, fooled him and then left him as soon as she could get away. The thoughts crowded his mind as he fought to reject each one. The girl smiled at him pleasantly. “My mistress did not expect you back for months yet my Lord,” she said. “She said that she would take the opportunity to conclude some business matters that related to her former husband. She said that she did not want you to be burdened with such matters.” Miah breathed a little easier, for at least he now knew that she had not changed her mind. It was reasonable for her to put her old life in order before starting the new. “Where has she gone then, back home I suppose.” “My mistress has returned to Thebes I believe, she said she would send word back once she knew how long she would be.” “And you have had no such word?” “Not yet my Lord. Please may I offer you refreshment?” She extended a hand in a gesture for him to be seated. “No thank you, I have not the time, I have not yet been home.” He coloured slightly realising he had just revealed how urgently he had rushed up to see Muralsu. He glanced about the terrace recalling the last time that he was there and in his mind’s eye he could still see that errant piece of her dress blow aside. “Do you know where she is staying?” “No lord but she can be contacted through a merchant called Mewen who is well known in Thebes.” “Thank you. Please be sure to let me know as soon as you hear from her.” He turned away and made his way home different thoughts jangling in his head. She had not changed her mind. She was committed to the marriage. She was not here and he had rushed the journey and skimped his duty for nothing. “Well, she could have waited until you returned Miah. I cannot see why she had to rush off the minute your back was turned.” Miah’s sister was taking the opportunity to stir up trouble. “Why her merchant person couldn’t sort things out for her himself I don’t know.” Miah sat down in a wicker chair feeling exhausted. “How do you know about a merchant? Have you been snooping again. I won’t have it, Muralsu private affairs are hers.” His sister pulled at her robes defensively. “ I was not snooping as you put it. The information came to me purely by accident. She has not finished sorting out some details of property left to her by her late husband. Anyway someone has to look into things, you are clearly besotted. Miah, what do you see in her? She’s common, far too flamboyant, and, and …” “Black?” “Yes black. Not that I have anything against Nubians as such but they should know their place.” Miah rose to the bait before he realised. “She’s not Nubian.” “Oh yes,” his sister replied, I forgot she’s a savage from the gods know where. Anyway, she’s unseemly.” Miah was beginning to get a headache and was not up to defending Muralsu against his sister’s prejudicial onslaught. “What do you mean, ‘unseemly’? She always acts with the most proper manners. “She has gone off with that peculiar old man that she has about her all the time and with only on maid as chaperone and she’s addled in her wits. A lady should be properly attended, particularly if travelling. It’s not that she hasn’t other female servants. And that’s another thing …” “Merytet , shut up.” Miah couldn’t stand it any longer and stood up a little too sharply for his head and clasping a hand to it left the room for his bed chamber. The familiar smells and surroundings of his room, open to the cooling wind did a little to settle his spirits. He lay down on his bed thinking a little sleep would restore him. There was a movement in the doorway and he saw his mother come in with a cup. He sat up for he knew that she would have brought him something to ease his head. She handed the cup over. “You should listen to your sister Miah. Oh I know she can be a little sharp at times but she means well. You know I’m not quite happy myself.” Miah lay back to stare at the ceiling balancing the cup on his stomach. “Not you as well mother. Look, you do not know her as I do. How could you, she was not exactly made welcome here? She is a wonderful woman as you would find out if you gave her half a chance. Anyway we are to marry and that is that.” Hattusas, the capital of the Hittite Empire, squatted on the Anatolian plane. Muralsu, although well travelled, had never been there before, and she did not like it at all. In the summer the city baked under a relentless sun, but during the winter the bitter cold swept through the streets. At this time of year there was still some heat left in the sun’s rays, but Muralsu, used to a warmer climate, continually felt cold. She purchased more suitable clothing, and although she had no long-term prospect of wearing such apparel she did not stint herself. Usually on her travels she liked to sight see and take in the local culture, but this time she had no interest, magnificent though parts of the city were. Thoughts of Miah were pulling her back home, and she wished only to stay as long as would be necessary to deliver the letter. After that, the Queen, Egypt and the whole Hittite race could go hang, for she would be done with it. Asif, usually the most pragmatic of souls, also itched to be away. For him living with Muralsu had become a burden. Her temper was short as she worried about the length of time she was away. It had finally dawned on Isis as to why her mistress kept her despite her shortcomings, and although she was prepared to put up with this provided Muralsu never actually interfered with her, she too was becoming tired of being snapped at, and on one occasion she had received a slap from her mistress. It showed how bad things were for Muralsu never usually raised a hand to her girls. They had been in the city a week now, and all they had to show for it was a depleted treasure chest. Asif had dressed himself quite splendidly and made daily forays up to the palace, bribing his way up the ladder, to see if he could get the attention of some official, who would allow them to perform in the palace. It was evidently going to take a long time, time that she did not have. They had hired an old stable in which to practice their routines. The building was scruffy and the landlord asked a ridiculous price, but it was convenient being part of the accpomodation that they had rented as their lodgings. It had reasonable sized floor space and with the door shut they were away from the public gaze. One morning Muralsu was putting the dancers through their paces when she noticed soldiers pass the door that was a little ajar, and enter the house. Telling the girls to continue, she slipped on a woollen cloak, for she only wore a short tunic to dance in. She could see that one soldier had remained outside their lodging, but he was leaning against the wall and looked at ease. Pulling the cloak about her she slipped out of the stable door. The soldier’s eyes fixed on her but he did not move. Without slackening her pace she walked towards him giving him a disarming smile. He smiled back and made no attempt to stop her, and her first fears began to subside. The soldier’s attitude was relaxed and not like one expecting trouble. Three soldiers were in the room immediately inside the door, and beyond them she could hear Asif talking to someone else. She past by the soldiers and entered the room beyond. Asif looked up from the table where he was seated, and before him was a Hittite officer, and in his hand were the warrants granting them leave to remain in the city. “Ah! Muralsu,” said Asif amiably. “This officer has to check that our warrants are in order.” She smiled at him, her teeth brilliantly white against the darkness of her skin. The officer was a good-looking man, his uniform neat and tidy, and he had an air of authority about him. Muralsu let go of her cloak and it swung open. She saw the officer’s gaze drop from her face and flick over her. The dance tunic was thin and despite the cold, her exertions had caused it to stick to her skin across her breasts. She sat down in a chair stretching out her legs and looked up at him from beneath her lashes. She knew that she was flirting in the most obvious way, but the result was satisfying. “Hello Captain.” She was not fluent but knew enough Hittite to get by, “Is all in order?” He replied to her grinning in return and with a little bow. He spoke too rapidly and she could not understand him and so she laughed, a rich honeyed sound and said, “I am sorry Captain, my Hittite is poor. Do you speak Egyptian or Amorite?” He swapped to Egyptian, which was surprisingly good. “I’ve seen you before,” he said. “Years ago, in Ugaris. You danced for the King” Muralsu’s mind flicked back over the years. She had been sent by Nefertiti to rescue Lady Nefari from under the noses of the Hittites. She and her troupe were at the height of their fame, and she had danced before the Hittite King. It had been a harrowing experience and almost cost her life, but the King had well received the performance, and she was hoping he had not forgotten it. The officer in front of her could have only been a youngster then. “Did you like what you saw?” she asked. There was a double meaning to her words. The officer swallowed and nodded. “Oh yes,” he said his eyes travelling up her legs and resting for a second just below her belly. He coughed and pulled himself together, “It was a magnificent performance, and the King was well pleased.” He tried to sound official. Muralsu noticed that Asif had vanished from his seat and was in the room beyond. He was occupying the soldiers leaving Muralsu a clear field. Muralsu gestured at the warrants in the officer’s hand, “Are you going to take me into custody Captain, or is the authority in order.” He realised that he still held them in his hand. Putting them on the table he said “No, no, all in order. Well I had better get on. Wait until I tell Anatalia that I have met you. She’s in service to the Princess Nat-en-apu, we are betrothed.” Muralsu stood up and approached the Captain, and towering over him, she stretched past him for a pitcher of water from the shelf near him. She had left her cloak on the seat and could feel coolness of the air through the material of her dress clinging to her back. She was aware that the wrap-over at her breasts was gaping. The Captain was even more aware. He was not particularly short but he only had to look straight ahead to appreciate the slow black curve of her breasts as they disappeared beneath the inadequate covering of material. “Would you like to see more?” she said, moving slightly, the material deliciously dropping from her shoulder as if by accident and affording him a generous view. The Captain was flustered and didn’t know what to say. Muralsu stepped back and drank from the pitcher the cool water over-spilling and glistening down her chin and neck to soak her dress. She covered herself as if just noticing her exposure but the water had rendered the material almost transparent. “I can show you more for you see Captain, we practice in the stable next door. What we need is an audience; you know, not too big, a little select. Just to train the girls you understand? You could bring Anatalia – or not.” She gave him a look that needed no interpretation. Two days later they gave a small performance for the Captain and a few of his friends, - Anatalia was not present. The wine flowed, and several of the girls paired off with the men, and vanished for the rest of the evening. Even Isis had the attention of one earnest young man, but he did not have the success of his friends, who had homed in on the more easy-going girls. Even the twins were taking advantage of their newfound freedom. Muralsu made a note to talk to them. They should not give too freely of a commodity that could bring them a little wealth, and a pregnant dancer would be of no use to her. She herself led the Captain to the very brink, but left him athirst but with promise of future delight. “You say that Anatalia is in service to the Princess?” The Captain nodded. “Do you think she would tell her mistress about us?” She saw a flicker of alarm. “Not about you and me, – there’s nothing to tell, - yet.” She laughed, “No, I mean tell her about my troupe, our performance. You would find me very – appreciative” “Appreciative?” “Very. And if she could persuade the Princess to let us perform for her in the palace, well, shall we say my appreciation would know no bounds.” Several days later Asif opened the stable door and entered, a gap-toothed grin splitting his face. He strode over to Muralsu who was stood over Naidine helping balance her legs as she walked on her hands. “We have a command to perform at the palace,” he announced. Muralsu looked at him and Naidine folded her body and rolled in a somersault. She sat cross-legged staring up at them. “You see Asif,” said Muralsu, “Sex is more effective and quicker than all your gold.” “Ah yes,” he replied, tilting his head to one side and looking at her with one eye. “but I have delivered my gold.” The smile faded from Muralsu’s face. It had been so very easy to seduce the Captain. Despite the fact that she was much older than he, she still exuded a potent erotic lure. She had easily fallen into her old familiar ways, but whereas years ago she would have thought nothing of paying the Captain his price, she now found certain reluctance. In fact it was more than that; she found that she definitely wished to avoid realising the Captain’s hopes. It had nothing to do with the man himself, indeed he was good looking and personable. It was that she felt that she could not betray Miah in such a casual way. She had worked hard on remaining faithful, though it was not in her nature, and she had found it difficult. Isis had remained a temptation, although she knew enough of the girl to realise that that particular conquest would not have been easy. It was part of what made the thought so exciting. She tried to persuade herself that paying the Hittite would not count, for it was business, and a means of fulfilling her mission so as to return to Miah. That night Asif came and sat near her as she pretended to doze in a chair. “You will not serve Miah if you put us at risk” She continued to keep her eyes shut but replied lazily, “What are you talking about now?” “You know very well Blackbird. Your friend the Captain could make trouble.” She opened her eyes after a moment or two and rubbed the tiredness from them with her hands, “Your right I suppose. It no good developing scruples after all these years. I just thought it was behind me. Looking back it seemed to have all happened to someone else. I thought I was now a different person, and am a little disappointed to find that it is not the case.” “Disappointed?” “Well surprised.” She gave a small smile, “don’t worry I’ll pay the Captain his due.”