THE TATTOOED WOMAN - Chapter 15
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The Tattooed Woman Volume 2 - Chapter 1: A Quarrelsome Spirit
The Dark Elven City of Emain was as spectacular, as it was ancient. The Dokkálfar were known as a devious and cunning folk, but they were also artful and had an appreciation of beauty that could sometimes penetrate even their cold hearts.
And so, within the sanctuary of its surrounding walls, with their many towers and crenelations, the city boasted finely kept gardens and orchards among its dark spires and winding streets. It was also a place of strange and alien contrasts with statues lining broad avenues, and majestic plazas with elegant fountains where the flowing crystal waters sounded almost musical, as well as less salubrious and more mysterious quarters, with strangely twisted lanes and narrow passages that led to baroque cul-de-sacs and alleys, where ominous shadows seemed to shift and flicker of their own volition and hooded figures oft lurked. It was a queer place, with back streets filled with hidden taverns, fleshpots, theatres, alchemists, workshops, tinkerers, bestiaries and all manner of shops and stalls from which strange items, books and any number of artefacts, compounds and tomes could be found, as well as services to sate even the most discerning or gross palate, all for the right price.
Darkness and gloom posed no barrier or impediment to the acute senses and night vision of Dark Elves and so there were few witchlamps set to illuminate the narrow winding alleyways and pavements away from those larger central thoroughfares, thus those slaves and freefolk who went abroad in the evenings would oft carry lanterns and witchlamps of their own and here and there a spell-crafted wisp would be conjured to follow or lead those who travelled these byways.
If one knew the way, then towards one end of a particular cul-de-sac could be found a well-appointed gate of silver and iron. It was set into a high wall, illuminated by an old decorative lamp of gnomish design and usually guarded by a Half-Orc, of significant size and formidable aspect, who typically bore an iron-bound cudgel. Beyond this gate was the House of Yellow Silk
The House of Yellow Silk was a fine bordello where Ashunara was known, and it was to this establishment that she led Hildegard on this particular evening. To accommodate the night blindness of her human companion the Captain had paused at a stall to dicker with a hedge-wizard who had his familiar conjure a small floating wisp and set it to float above the couple as they strolled along the narrow streets. Hildegard gasped as she spotted the small imp that assisted the mage with this trivial enchantment, and it in turn had leered at her with glowing yellow eyes as it caught her stare.
The streets were busy with throngs of revellers and passers-by, but beggars and other ne'er-do-wells avoided the Captain and most moved aside when they saw her. Hildegard was uncertain whether it was because she was known, or simply that she had her hand on the deadly shortsword at her side and walked with the obvious air of someone who not only knew how to use it but would happily demonstrate her competence if given cause.
Ashunara forbore wearing her mail this evening and instead wore a dull cloak over a stout jerkin that was belted at the waist and a pair of comfortable leather troos, while Hildegard still wore the tattered remains of the habit she had worn as a novice sister. The garment had seen significant abuse and wear these last days and though it was at least now clean again, it was distinctly threadbare and even after much repair was more than just a little tattered and torn. However, as a collared slave, she had no coin or even opportunity to replace the ruined garment, especially as she had spent the last few days and nights in a small, but oddly comfortable and clean cell at the slave market while Ashunara had gone off to conduct her business.
The overseers had not been particularly warm and kindly, but neither were they cruel, and they had not abused her in any way. She had been provided good food and allowed to walk unescorted and unshackled in the enclosed, and guarded, courtyard. There was a communal bathing area for those enslaved that she had used without embarrassment for it was not particularly different from the distinctly spartan and simple facilities back at the convent, though at least here they had hot water and soap, which to her mind was a significant improvement.
Her cell was one of several situated in a particular wing of the slave castle where she was kept and there were others enslaved alongside who occupied some of those other cells. The wing was above and overlooked the courtyard where she could exercise and walk at will, and there was a well for fresh water. She had seen other slaves who had used this same space being taken off for auction but apparently, the occupants of the cells where she currently resided were for the moment immune to this fate. None of the guards prohibited her from talking to these unfortunates and she had learned many things by doing so. And at least she was not alone, for Muriah, a Dark Elf who had fallen to slavery and whom she had met on the journey to this place, now occupied the adjacent cell, and though the wing was locked during the hours of darkness the individual cells were not, save for a simple bolt upon the inside that she could employ as she wished.
The guards permitted and for the most part, ignored conversation and association between the occupants of the cells and provided they caused no disturbance some of the enslaved who had become close to one another chose to share a chamber.
She and Muriah were not so close, but even so, it was heartening to have someone familiar to speak to for despite these few freedoms this place was a fearful one.
She recalled the first day when she and Muriah had been left by Ashunara and they had been taken before another Dark Elf, garbed in stout leather, carrying a sturdy rod and with a whip fixed to her belt. She had a scarred face and the coldest eyes of any creature Hildegard had ever encountered, save one.
"I am Overseer Falsara Kur, you will address me as 'Overseer' or 'Mistress'. Your owner has left you in my care while she conducts her business. You may be gratified to know you are not to be sold and that she has intimated to me that she will return to collect you in due course. Clearly, you are of some value to your owner for she has paid coin for you to be kept here in comfort. This is a thing we sometimes do, and we have a place set aside for you."
She pointed to a scarred, worn-looking wooden fixture situated in the centre of the courtyard with sturdy metal rings attached. Hildegard thought it had an ominous look, and the overseers' words confirmed her suspicions, "That is a whipping post. If you cause trouble, you may become familiar with its function. I assure you it is not a pleasant experience. However, behave well, be respectful, cause no trouble and keep yourselves and your rooms clean, and you will in turn be well treated and there will be no reason for you to ever find yourself hanging from those rings. I take it I make my meaning clear?"
Hildegard saw with horror Muriah draw a breath for some angry retort so she swiftly stamped on the girl's foot and blurted her reply, "We understand Overseer, and we will cause no issue. I thank you for your kindness."
Falsara stepped close and she had a wicked smile on her face, "You are the one they call Muriah Fel, yes?"
Muriah nodded, and Hildegard almost sighed with relief when she wisely remained silent, though her eyes blazed with anger. The Overseer shook her head with a smile, "I am reasonably certain Muriah that in due course you will be ransomed back to your family and with a little luck you will be able to put this unpleasant experience behind you, perhaps you may only be here for a few days, mayhap a week or two. But for now, you are enslaved, and while your Mistress has paid coin to ensure favourable treatment, I will have you stripped, hung on one of those rings and whipped until you cannot stand if you give me cause. Show some wisdom girl, don't let your anger get the better of you and make you say or do something that you will regret. This is the only warning I will give you."
Turning to Hildegard the overseer tilted her head as she regarded her, "Captain Ashunara said you were a clever one, human. Do you need further warning also?"
"No, Overseer."
"Good, one of the guards will show you to your cells. There is a common room off this courtyard where meals are taken. A bell is rung when they are served. Now go, wash and rest, it will soon be time for the midday meal."
Hildegard swallowed and took a risk, "Overseer?"
The woman turned back to her, "You have a question?"
"Do you perchance know when the Captain will return?"
The Dark Elf grinned, "Are you so keen to be reunited with her?"
