Hitori was elated to be called in to her master's chambers. She was not highest amongst his escorts, and she often incurred more discipline than others. Of course, knowing his tastes and their flavors, that may have been a greater compliment than any single word. Still, she felt no closeness to him, only a desire to please him and to be subject to his whims. Perhaps today was her day to shine for him, the new bright star in his vast firmament. She adjusted her skirt, really nothing more than two flaps of green silk, one to the front and one to the rear, conjoined by a cord around her shapely hips. She adjusted her small breasts within the confines of the top, another slim sheet of silk, simply attached in the rear by hooks and eyes. She examined herself in the mirror, a custom designed to be certain that they were most presentable to their Master. She swept up her black hair in a quick but precise braid, checked her teeth and her exposed skin, and smiled. She was as fine as she could be. It was time to fulfill her duties. Hitori wriggled into her small green slippers and made her way to the Master's chambers.
Hitori strode down the halls of the great house and passed by the woman standing at submissive attention near the door to his chambers: Her head down, her left foot bound with red ribbon to present it en pointe. The woman made no reaction to Hitori's passing, dedicated as she was. Hitori swung the double doors wide and entered the chambers. They were permitted to enter unannounced, but her presentation could not be denied. She advanced to her master, sitting on a pile of pillows and cloths that still had his eyes above hers even as he reclined, and she kneeled before him, her forehead touching the floor. He moved slightly, his black silken robes rustling like a breeze through the cherry blossoms in his great orchard.
"Hitori," he spoke, his voice a smooth baritone that issued no emotion other than his deep pleasure to see him prostrate before her.
"Yes, Master," she breathed in response.
"We are having a dinner party tonight. Many guests will be attending and they will be ravenous. We are sending you to acquire the goods we shall need."
"Yes, Master," Hitori replied again. Her Master lived alone, preferring to share his power only with his escorts, but he used the royal We. On occasion, a girl would be audacious enough to correct him and her punishment was meted out in private before being turned away to the world. The fate of these unfortunate girls and their mysterious punishments were always a source of gossip and legendary wonder among veterans and fresh faces alike. Hitori did not correct him on this or any other day.
"Ni will give you money and a list with which to go into town. Do not fail me."
"No, Sir, I shall return as you have commanded."
"Very good. Rise and be on your way."
"Yes, Sir." She caught the briefest glimpse of him, as much as she dared before backing and bowing out of the room, the doors closing between them. The look in his eyes and the thin smile on his lips told her everything that she had dreamed to hear. He was proud of her, perhaps more of his control over her rather than the person herself, but that was enough. He was pleased with her trim figure, the gentle slope of her bosom, the delicate curves of her hips and rear. He was entranced by the coltish nature of her legs and her skin that flowed like new cream. He was also satisfied by her proper use of Master and Sir to his specifications, upon which he drilled relentlessly and punished often for transgressions. He was pleased, which meant Hitori was elated. A blush crept to her face and a flush rose through her body, excited by his preference for her in this task and his confidence in her. His beauty and power were no less intoxicating and she felt herself thinking of him as she progressed to the kitchen.
What reward will be in store for me upon completion?
And directly behind that...
What wrath and punishment would I face should I fail?
The darkest part of her begged to fail, to be punished, to be disciplined and made better, broken down in the process, used, tortured and demeaned in the Master's unique and powerful ways. She could put off the task and be punished, to receive sweet redemption at the hands of her beloved warden, or worse, be punished by others while he watched and railed upon her, hurling invectives that no soldier or sailor had uttered or even feared to think. What supreme torment would be settled upon her if she cast off her responsibilities? How close was she to the Abyss and how much of the Devil was in him?
No. She turned away her darkest thoughts. No empty rebellion. She would please him today, and everyday. This would bring her to him, the only thing she really wanted. Some of his other escorts traded their dedication for simple, vulgar punishment, but it wasn't the path to true discipline. Or even love? No, perhaps not love, but admiration, even respect. Even without those things, discipline lasted forever, and that was more than enough for a simple girl who would have died on the streets, without purpose, fearing for everything and living for naught. After her parents' deaths after her 19th birthday, she had nowhere to go, and only the Master's pity gave her hope. This was her opportunity to show him what he had taught her, to repay him for his lavish preparation. Beaming in spite of the humble face she was supposed to present, Hitori strode into the kitchen and tapped the brawny cook on the shoulder.
"Hello, Number 2. The Master has sent me to pick up food for the party tonight." The cook paused to hand her a pouch with the instructions and tender inside. He lowered his gaze to the little woman's face.
"Hitori, please be careful. It is not safe in the market for a girl such as yourself. Perhaps I should go with you."
"It is not necessary, Ni. I will be fine. Besides, our Master told me alone to go. Anything else would be inappropriate."
The cook turned back to his bubbling pots.
"You are right, Hito. Good luck."
Hitori went to a rack near the door and pulled a dress of sackcloth from the peg. She through it over her head and shoulders and tucked the envelope into an inside pocket. She kicked off her slippers and slipped her trim feet into a pair of worn brown boots. Only in the Master's presence were they to be finely presented and in public, the reverse. Hitori covered her shining hair with a white kerchief, grabbed a satchel and opened the door, stepping out of the house and off the grounds as if she were just another peasant.
The walk to the market was a short one and soon she was amongst the fishmongers and grocers, admiring and sampling their wares and carefully narrowing down her list of tasks. She happily trade coin for fine fish at one stall, and bright vegetables at another. She stopped briefly to admire ribbons and swatches at one stall, thinking about getting some to dress up her appearance for Master, but reigned herself in knowing she only had Master's money to spend. Despite the jests of the shopkeeper, she moved on, emptying her pouch of money and filling her satchel with delicious and tantalizing goods.