The Slave Girl knelt in the orchard; she picked apples carefully from the ground, checking each one to ensure it was the best she could find. As she looked at an apple that had been damaged by an insect, made rotten inside; she smiled. Picking it up she felt a small burst of fear and excitement, she looked again at the apple, and said to herself;" I must do this today."
She placed the rotten apple in the basket and stood, her heart starting to pound softly, as she committed herself to her decision.
She stood and walked out of the orchard, her bare feet on the soft grass. As she walked back into the courtyard; a large circular space, covered in light gravel; she felt the mild discomfort on the soles of her feet as she walked onto the gravel. She remembered a time when another girl had been caught wearing slippers she had found. The girl unaware that slaves were forbidden to wear shoes. She remembered the excitement as the girl was discovered, taken into the courtyard, and bastinadoed before the entire household. A brutal and humiliating eastern punishment, she remembered feeling the strange sensation of excitement as she had watched the punishment.
She walked past a post at the centre of the courtyard, A smooth wooden post about 7 feet in height, its sand base covered in bare foot prints. She looked at the post briefly in fascination, as she had done many times. She felt its power and looked at the apple, if her plan worked, this piece of fruit would lead her to this post. Her heart pounded harder at the thought.
She entered the great hall and approached the master, who was sipping wine at his throne; she placed the basket of fruit on the table next to the master and took her place on the furs before the throne.
Her heart pounding now, the anticipation; the excitement was electric within her. She had done all she need, now; the anticipation, such a powerful feeling, possessed her as she waited.
She glanced around, the master continued to sip his wine, the apple that would seal her fate in the basket next to him. He drank and she waited, the excitement, overwhelming.
Before she could dare a glance, things happened quickly. The master selected the rotten apple, though she could not see, he bit into it, making a noise of disgust. Her heart pounded as she heard his words, "Her," she could feel his accusing finger pointed toward her.
As quickly as she looked round she was grabbed by two guards and made to stand before him. At once she felt one emotion that she craved, no she was the centre of attention, all eyes on her, the mixture of fear and humiliation washed over her like a warm glow.