Midday Near the Stadium of Tarns

As I stood in the doorway of The Four Strap, I found them there, the black girl & Six, in the area around the Stadium of Tarns at midday. I whistled sharply. I have directed them to work this area as the racing this year is a hotly contended affair. No less than four factions, my Silvers amongst them, will compete for top honors. My two top earners, Six and Portia, are there to offer a consoling diversion to losing bettors or a delightful indulgence to those winning heavy purses. In both cases, the cost is minimal for what I offer; three copper tarsks, per girl, per ahn. Six made it to my feet first, flushed about the throat with the profitable smell of rape upon her, smiling radiantly. Soon after, with her dark-limbed saunter, Portia was corraled. The dust from the road was on her back and in the heavy, braided lengths of her hair. Both girls carried with them a satisfying amount of coin, proof of productivity. It was only an ahn after midday.

"Work is over," I told them. It is always humorous to see the brief elation at having their workday cut short, followed by a momentary rueful pout about the bottom lip of each. Yes, work is over, but that means the succession of hungry men, eager to own them for an ahn at a time is also at an end. At least for the day. Each of them likes their work, but everyone likes a little time for themselves, even slave girls. Of course, they were to be given no such thing. I had them knelt in The Four Strap as I supped and drank a little kal-da (The Four Strap does not serve wine). It is pleasant to eat in the company of women. Particularly those one owns. Those of mine that are put to work on the street wear red garments with the familiar refrain "Have me. Boarding House. Anbar" embroidered near the hem in the back in white thread. Advertising pays. As does delivering a quality product. That was evident by their midday tallies.

"Both of you will return to the Anbar and bathe," I told them between mouthfuls of food and quaffs from my cup. "Change out of your work garments."

If they had looked at one another curiously at that point, I would not have been surprised. Half a day of work. A midday bath. Perhaps I would send them off to pick Talendars next? No. Of course not.

"Eat your mouthful of gruel after your baths," I continued. They are fed twice daily. The rations are not large, of course. They are only women. And gruel is quite nourishing, I am assured. Chock full of all the nutrients a busy slut needs. A splash of slave wine or a zesting of sip root is more than enough spice to taste. Think of it. If you feed a girl too much gruel, she will cease to appreciate it. Better to give her what she needs and have her looking forward to the sustinence. I had finished with my meal at that point. A hot-eyed little brunette named Keela took the bowl and dabbed my mouth with a warm towel. A second girl, blonde haired, I think her name is Kita, or maybe Seeka, refilled my cup. I dismissed them both.

"Six, seek out Lady Tia the Baker," I told her. "Tell her I would have a word at her convenience."

I then glanced to Portia, who was momentarily distracted by the departure of Keela and Kita, or maybe Seeka, one of those, and spoke to her. "Portia, tell the Lady Eliza I have two silver tarsks for her," I said, "and I would like to give them to her at her convenience."

I decided to stay a while at The Four Strap and enjoy another round or two of kal-da. It had only a mild sting today and was quite tasty. It burned a little, of course, but it was tasty. I thought, too, I might take in the early evening races. It had been a while since the last time. I think that might have been Venna, at the Stadium of Tharlarions where Horned Ubar was running. Tarns, however, were a whole different game. Yes, I thought, I will stick around here for the day. I bid the two of them to show their obeisance and run along to do as they were told.