The Ardoon King Page 84
Chapter 82: Hard Questions
Thal saw the Queen’s Suite was almost unchanged from when she had mentored Fiela, except for the addition of large mahogany desk facing the door that was cluttered with papers and ledgers. Persipia went to the desk and took a seat behind it, motioning for Fiela to have a seat on a nearby sofa. She did not offer a seat to Thal, who consequently stood awkwardly between the two women.
Persipia said, “I know Annasa Fiela has other commitments tonight, so I’ll get right to business, Thal. You’ll be helping me manage Steepleguard. Room occupancies, the rate at which we’re burning through our supplies, staffing, resupply of outposts, that kind of thing. It takes a tremendous amount of effort and I’m falling behind. I know you’re good at math. I find all this rather tedious, but necessary. The stuff we found at the airport was manna from heaven but it’s thrown all my schedules into a tizzy.”
The other woman said, “I understand.”
Fiela exclaimed, “Thal!”
“What?”
Persipia sighed. “Thal, do you also understand that you’re not to speak without permission? That you are not allowed to communicate to anyone in any way?”
Thal closed her eyes. Yes, she had understood that. Stupid.
“I’m sorry,” Fiela said, looking at Persipia. “If she wishes to speak, what is she to do?”
“Ah,” said Persy, “I’ve researched the handling of wardums in the library. There is a wealth of information, though much of it dated. Dominion is exceedingly rare these days, you know.”
Thal flinched at the word “handling.” She was being handled.
Looking at her new minion, Persipia said, “If you wish to speak, you will raise an index finger just to the bottom of your lower lip. If you are permitted to speak, you may do so until interrupted or the person to whom you are speaking wishes to reply. You may not speak again until again given permission, but you may maintain your request by simply keeping your index finger in place.”
“That’s clever,” said Fiela.
Thal did not think it clever at all.
Persipia continued, “Only two people can grant you permission to speak: Annasa Fiela, if you are in her quarters, and me, at any other location. Aside from that, you will not communicate with anyone. This includes motioning, nodding, shaking your head, writing, or any other action that could be reasonably interpreted as conveying a message of any kind.”
She looked at Thal expectantly. “Now, I’m sure you have questions?”
Thal took in a breath and touched her lower lip. Her face burned. She hated this pathetic act of subservience, but there were painful questions she needed to ask while Fiela was present. The queen was the only protection she had.
Persipia acknowledged the gesture. “Yes?”
The woman swallowed hard. “Will I be abused in any way?”
“Of course not,” replied the consort. “Your parole prohibits unusually cruel punishments, injuries, or permanent marks.”
The other woman considered this. “But-”
“No, Thal!” exclaimed Fiela, looking frustrated.
The woman was confused. She didn’t want the queen upset with her. She suddenly realized her mistake and touched her lower lip. Persipia and Fiela nodded in unison, one acknowledging the request to speak and the other happy that the physicist was finally onboard.
Thal breathed out. She decided to rip off the bandage quickly. “Will I be beaten for recreation or forced to engage in sexual acts against my will?”
“I haven’t decided,” replied Persipia, matter-of-factly. She waited. “Do you have another question?”
Thal stared at her. That was not the response she’d wanted, yet Fiela looked at her expectantly, awaiting the next question. Clearly the queen was just fine with the response. Apparently recreational beatings and mandatory sex did not constitute “abuse” under the terms that had been negotiated while she was in the infirmary.
Caught off-guard by her ally’s reaction, she pointed at her lower lip again, and when Persipia nodded, said, “Do you think I am guilty of the crimes I am accused of? Will you seek to punish me physically or sexually, or humiliate me in revenge for what you think I’ve done?”
This got Fiela’s attention. She looked at Persipia and narrowed her eyes, apparently interested in the answer. Persipia gave both women a thin smile.
She stood, saying, “Annasa Fiela, I am requesting that you leave now, please. I wish to spend the rest of the evening alone with my wardum, to set some ground rules.”
Seeing Fiela hesitate, the consort added, “Annasa, recall your oath. I am the authority in this situation. I’m sorry, but you may not interfere.”
Fiela attempted to object, but almost as soon as the thought occurred to her, it began to dissipate. Neurons fired and went dark in the order her genetic mapping required. Memories scanned at a rapid rate made it evident that Persipia did indeed have authority in this realm. Fiela’s brain went through the required process, checking for allowable exceptions, but found none, and triggered a psychosomatic response that caused her to experience a brief but extremely intense wave of depression and anxiety.
As part of a feedback loop, her brain responded by shutting the neural doorways that allowed the objection to manifest. She was rewarded with a sense of well-being. Her brain reveled in this newfound serenity, and, completing the loop, effectively hardwired itself to prevent any future unpleasantness. The rogue thought vanished. It might as well have never occurred.
“You’re right,” Fiela said. “I’ve got something else I need to take care of anyway. What time can I pick her up tomorrow?”
“I’ll send a fetch to notify you.”
Fiela rose and moved toward the door. “I trust you to abide by our agreement, Persy.”
“I will, Annasa. Just as you will, I’m sure.”