Chapter 7: Charlerion's Concubine (Part 1)
The hotel which King Charlerion had occupied reminded her of Guthelm's. The new Palace was one of the leading hostelries of the city, picked by the leaders of the new occupation. There were carvings of figures of men and women in poses of enjoyment and relaxation, semi and fully naked, all over the frontage. They were a celebration of Shalirion's leisurely lifestyle of the past and the skill and artistry of its craftsmen and women.
Charlerion, the King, dressed in his finest blue tunic, had come to stand in front of his new Palace to greet her. She felt the tingle of excitement she had felt when she had first seen him, and when their eyes had met at the feast. He had made it plain he wanted her, and she had gone so far as to kiss her. She felt the same strong attraction she had felt before. Partly she wondered why this high born man might want her, but she was grateful to be freed from the enslavement of being Guthelm's concubine, a man she could only despise.
"I welcome you Remzain, into my Household," he greeted her. "I place this ring upon your beautiful finger as a symbol of your service to me as one of my concubines, but also as a sign of my commitment to look after you, to treat you as a member of my Household, and of my Royal Court. You may bear me children, and serve me with your beauty and your attention."
Guthelm had done nothing like this. She felt Charlerion's gift was almost like the offer of marriage. Despite the desperate straits of her city, her family and her land, she found she was able to let him slip it on her finger without feeling any complaint within her. Her heart was able to leap, and when he kissed her her response was the genuine seal of some kind of mutual contract, despite her status as a concubine.
There were cheers from soldiers nearby, and from courtiers and ladies present.
Charlerion welcomed her, "Come into your new home Remzain! Do you like the new drapes I had brought in? Come upstairs. See the rooms in this building." She realised, from his tone, these Animarians had not seen buildings quite this beautiful or well developed as these. Charlerion and his people were particularly impressed by them. He was excited to possess such buildings.
He took her hand and led her upstairs enthusiastically, "This is my suite."
"Charlerion, sire. There is something I want to know," she asked, finding it difficult to persuade him to listen.
"What, my love?"
"Do you have a queen?"
"Yes. She is in Pelancir. I also have two other concubines so far. Do not be worried Remzain. I favour you very much, but I look after those who I have chosen to be mine very well. Be assured you will have a good life with me. I feel great love towards you. You will be like a queen.
"One my concubines is with me here. You will meet her soon, later. Jacqueline will be like a sister to you. She will be a friend. She is not jealous. Like her you will find you have influence and a certain freedom."
Despite her surprise at her newfound importance, and the seeming generosity of this beautiful man, she could not quite believe the words he was telling her. He was an Animarian King, as Guthelm was, and conqueror of her city. Despite his words she knew she must be at his mercy. She could hardly be a Queen of Pelancir when there was one of those already. Perhaps one day she would be discarded by him, as Guthelm had so easily discarded her.
She followed the long haired King up the staircase, he leading her by the hand. They had left behind the other servants of the King.
"I am so pleased you were able to come to me," he declared, overjoyed it seemed.