Chapter 6 - The Princess and the Temple Boy
Several days after their adventure in the City, Tak and Nikah were working side by side in the Temple Gardens when Priestess Ruta approached them.
"Boys, what have you been up to?"
Tak and Nikah glanced at each other in panic as Ruta continued, "Priestess Ashala is looking for you and she seems very angry. I would try to avoid her if I were you."
But it was already too late. Ashala had entered the Gardens through the south gate and was approaching the group shouting.
"Boys! Wait there! I wish to speak with you. Priestess Ruta, may I deal with these two in private?"
Ruta moved away, somewhat reluctantly, leaving Ashala alone with the nervous boys.
"Tak. Nikah. I recall that we talked about the need for discretion as we returned from the tavern a few days ago did we not?"
The boys nodded enthusiastically.
"Oh yes Mistress...of course Mistress..."
Ashala held up her hand to silence them.
"Good. Then I did not dream it. Tak, Nikah, it is very odd but since then I have been approached by no less than five boys, all of them asking if I need assistance with errands in the City on the coming rest day. While I am flattered by the attention, and while it is always pleasing to see that boys are enthusiastic to serve, I cannot help but ask myself why there is such a sudden interest in carrying my parcels. I admit that I am at a loss. Would either of you care to speculate?"
"Priestess Ashala, you are much loved by all the boys." ventured Tak.
Nikah closed his eyes and groaned inwardly.
"Ah yes Tak, that must be it," replied Ashala dryly. "Nevertheless, perhaps you will think of other explanations before tomorrow morning when I will expect both of you in my chamber. I will ask Priestess Ruta to release you from your Garden chores. You see, boys, I discovered a frame of repentance in storage and would like it moved to my room. Such things were commonly found in lady's bedchambers during the era of the Old Queen and, you know, I do get quite nostalgic from time to time. It will need some assembly of course, which I'm sure will take the two of you working together no time at all. And then testing. We must not forget the need to test it. Thoroughly!"
"But Mistress," said Tak. "You are not cruel."
"Ah Tak," sighed Ashala. "I fear you have misunderstood. It is true that I would never brutalize a boy or cause him permanent damage. I do however see the value of severe pain, especially when prolonged, as a means of correcting the behaviour of boys who have been, well, so very disappointing."
Nikah suddenly broke, falling to his knees in front of Ashala.
"Oh Mistress, I confess, we____."
"Quiet Nikah!", shouted Ashala. "You had your opportunity just now. The next time I invite you to speak will be after you have each spent an hour on the frame and my cane-arm is tired."
At that moment Priestess Hanja entered the Garden and waved over to Ashala and the boys.
"The High Priestess has sent me to fetch Nikah and Tak. And you must come too Ashala!" she shouted.
Ashala noticed that Hanja looked worried.
"I left it too late to discipline you boys," sighed Ashala. "We will all three suffer now!"
****
Princess Kasmine stood in the state room of the High Priestess, an imposing presence in the full regalia of a northern female warrior; high boots, short leather kilt and bronze breastplate above bare midriff, framed in a red cloak open at the shoulders. Accompanying her was Peto, Captain of the King's Guard, and the fur trader with whom Tak had exchanged words at the apothecary less than a week before.
As Ashala, Hanja, Tak and Nikah approached, the High Priestess began to speak.
"These are guests of the Temple; emissaries from Vosgir, our northern ally."
She introduced the three by name and then turned to the trader, "The fair boy, not the dark?".
He nodded.
"This is Ashala," continued the High Priestess, "Priestess of the Infirmary. It was she that visited the Apothecary a few days ago with these boys. Ashala, your memory is far better than mine. How did the boy Tak come to the Temple?"
"He was bought at the market from a southern farmer, four summers ago. Priestess Ruta made the purchase, knowing his experience as a farm slave would serve him well in the Gardens. And, of course, he looked well capable of performing night duties in the Temple. The farmer was keen to be rid of him, so Ruta acquired him for a good price."
"And why did the farmer want to be rid of him?" asked the High Priestess.
Ashala smiled, "The farmer purchased Tak as a child from Cargian slavers and worked him hard on the farm. But he was a fair master and ensured the boy received an education, learning both the language of the South and that of the City. As Tak reached his sixteenth summer he became strong and healthy, and the farmer was greatly pleased with him. Unfortunately, so was the poor man's wife! The farmer returned early from the fields one day and found his lady with Tak's tongue inside her. Now, that might be a normal experience for a husband in the City, but in the South, of course, it is a great scandal. Thankfully the farmer placed no blame on Tak, but he understandably wanted the boy gone."
"And the slavers? They came from the south?" asked the High Priestess.
"So they said," replied Ashala, "Although he looks to be of the north."
