I moved through the grounds of the lavish bathhouse known as the Pool of Blue Flowers. It was beautiful series of small pools and one large one. White pillars shadowed the area, setting off sections of furs for quiet conversation. Night flowers were starting to bloom in the early evening. The sun had almost set, filling the edge of the sky with brilliant golds and reds to meet the darkening black-blue of the encroaching night sky.
The Legion of Warriors was in Ar for a visit and had allowed me to travel the city doing errands as long as all of my other duties were done first. It was my privilege as the first girl of the Legion to travel unattended. I had recently finished up making sure that all of the Legion Masters were satisfied, that all provisions were stocked and that none of the personal slaves of the Legion Masters needed me.
I had decided on several errands for the Legion that would take me into the heart of Ar. Errands that included digging up as much useful information as I could from my sisters. I was no stranger to the Pool of Blue Flowers and was welcomed as any redsilk slave would be. I was immediately put to work.
The Pool was fairly empty at this time of night. Not many wish to come and swim with the girls. If they did come, they would usually head straight for the gardens and alcoves with a favorite redsilk in tow. This night, only Master Delmar, a merchant, was here for me to serve.
He sat there, a tall, lean man with dark brown hair and green eyes, watching me for a moment as I knelt before him. I studied his pants and tunic as a I waited silently... they were a hearty woven fabric of white with gold trim for his Caste. He seemed more of a warrior than most merchants, Strong of body as well as mind. Finally, he spoke in a quiet deep voice, "Paga, slave."
I murmured "Yes Master" and rose to my full height, smoothing my leathers over my body. I was clad kajir like the Tuchuk pleasure slaves. I had once been owned by a Tuchuk Master and every Master since had simply left me in the leathers, pleased at the way it looked on me. The leather of my vest and short skirt brushed my skin, whispering a familiar song as I moved in the taught sensuality of a redsilk trained kajira.
As I moved through the servery gathering the bowl and filling it with the hot paga, I paused to speak to the kettle slaves there. A friendly word and a kind gesture never hurt. I had become friends with many of the slaves of the Pool of Blue Flowers. Giggling softly at some of the gossip that I heard, I hurried back to the side of Master Delmar, a bowl of hot paga in hand.
I served it to him with the grace and beauty of one who is fully owned; pressing the bowl to my heart and then to my lips for a kiss and a tiny sip to show that the smelly brew had not been poisoned. Poison was a female's weapon... dishonorable for a Warrior to use.
The Master smiled at me as he took the bowl and drank deeply from it, making me feel warm and happy at his pleasure. He motioned me to his side, sliding a strong arm about my body as I snuggled close.
"Tell me, slave... had any adventures lately?" The Master's deep voice filled the silence of the night.
"Well Master, being the first girl of the Legion is adventure enough, other than that, I complete my duties as I can to ensure the pleasure of the Legion Masters. I've been very happy as of late.... Oh! I do have a Legion sister now. Her name is Elora."
The Master nodded, drinking of the paga. "Is she any good?"
"I think so. She has one or two rough edges but she is a fine slave. Elora is shorter that I, but the same fire hair and green eyes. She is very friendly. And I can see us quickly becoming partners in crime ...." I noticed that Master Delmar was no longer listening to me and looked up to see what had caught his attention.
It was a man. Tall and dark, in a dark cloak that hid his face. The man came into the Pool and settled in the furs near us. My breath caught in my throat, warning bells shrieking in my mind. The man boded ill for the Pool this night. I do not know why I knew it. I just did. Perhaps it was left from the time I had spent with a previous Master - a Master who had also been an Assassin.
"Go on, Eden." Master Delmar gently prodded me from my thoughts "Partner in crime?"
"Oh.. yes... Elora seems to be a mischievous one and I can see myself enjoying that part of her." I laughed softly. "I will have to be careful to see that we do not get into too much trouble."
Master Delmar, petted my hair gently, his attention half on the newcomer. Then he looked up as another man came in. We watched as the man paused at the gates, seemed to remember something and left. It seemed a little odd to me. After a moment's time, Master Delmar called out to strange man in the dark cloak... "Greetings friend, have you need of a drink? I can send this fine slave off to fetch it for you."
The man turned a bit towards us. I could see his eyes. They seemed cold and unfriendly to me. "No, I have no need of anything right now. Just resting my weary body."
"I am Delmar, a merchant in these parts."
"Balitor." Came the short reply.
Master Delmar nodded. "So, where do you come from, friend? Travel a long way?"
"Yes... a long way. From Turia."
"On business?" Master Delmar asked, sharp eyes watching the man, taking in the details that he could see. Master Balitor nodded. Master Delmar settled back in the furs, drawing me close to his side. I did not like this man called Balitor. It was just a feeling, but I believed in my feelings. They had saved me more than once. "I'm curious, Balitor, what business are you in? I cannot tell from the clothes you wear."
"I am Rogue."
I stiffened at that. There is no such Caste, unless you call bandits a caste. Perhaps it was small or secret Caste that I had not heard of before. Being an Urth barbarian, I could not be sure. I looked up at Master Delmar, questions in my eyes.
"Rogue? Interesting. I had not heard of this Caste. Perhaps you could tell me of it." Delmar's voice was light and unconcerned. He finished off the last of the paga and handed me the bowl. With his lips to my ear, he whispered, "I think this man is an Assassin who has come for me. Stay low little one. This could get messy."
I suppressed a growl, angry that the beauty of the Gardens could be tainted in such a fashion. Death was a part of Gor but assassination was the blackest kind of death. It was only one step above impaling a Warrior as one would kill a slave. I kissed his neck, nuzzling close and whispered. "How may I help you, Master? Is there anything I can do?" I knew that the sounds of the waters and the night noises would cover my quiet words.
Master Delmar laughed softly and kissed me again, whispering. "No, little one. I'll be fine. I have my saber with me." He mildly slapped me on the rump and raised his voice a bit. "Paga, Eden and see if our guest needs anything."
"I am fine." Master Balitor spoke up. "I don't need anything."
I noticed that he did not answer Master Delmar's first question about the Rogue Caste as I moved swiftly to the servery. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Master Delmar watching and wiggled my hips for his amusement and was rewarded with his smile. I could not hear the conversation of the two Masters as I worked in the servery to get Master Delmar his paga. I grabbed one of the kettle slaves and told them that I needed the Healer, Master Jared, as soon as possible. That there was a possible danger here and his services might be needed. I usually would not do such a thing, but my instinct was screaming its warning at me. They too, had noticed the stranger and one of kettle slaves slipped out the back and hurried, running down the street.
Master Jared was one of the few Masters I could honestly call "Friend." We had met while I was the slave of Master Devon. I had often spent time with Master Jared discussing philosophy, politics and anything else that would come into the conversation. He was a kind Master, keen of mind and very caring - though, he was still a Warrior. His sword was as sharp as his mind and I never forgot it. Now, he was of the Green Caste. I silently prayed that if his services as Healer were needed, he would come.
I returned once more to Master Delmar... moving with all the brazen sexuality of a trained pleasure slave. I figured if I could distract the "rogue" for a bit, Master Jared would have time to arrive - if he chose to come at all. I knelt tall, body arching, presenting myself fully for the eyes of the Master, again pressing the bowl to my heart and then kissed the rim, taking a sip before offering it to Master Delmar.
He motioned me to his side and I crawled low, like a stalking feline, until I curled up at his side, pressing myself to his thigh. The Masters sat in silence a bit longer as Master Delmar drank the paga, silently studying Master Balitor. Then he cleared his throat, putting his bowl down, looking directly at Master Balitor. I knew that Master Delmar was not one to play games and figured that he had come to a decision.
"You never did answer me about the Rogue Caste."
Master Balitor looked at him. "I am still a warrior at heart. You could say that I am of the Red Caste." He shifted his body. He seemed tense to me.
Master Delmar continued as if he had not heard Master Balitor speak. "You see, I know of no Rogue Caste. And all I can tell is that you are wearing very dark clothing. Dark enough to remind me of the Black Caste." Master Delmar looked him directly in the eye, speaking softly, evenly... "I ask that you remove your hood and bare your forehead."
I trembled at Master Delmar's side, not really knowing what to do. I watched as Master Balitor slowly rose to his feet. Master Delmar took his arm from around me and his body was loose. He still seemed unconcerned. I crawled back a foot or two so that I would not be in the way.
"You just made a fatal mistake, Delmar." Master Balitor growled as he removed his hood, revealing the fine black dagger painted on his forehead. "I have..."
I did not see Master Delmar tense but suddenly, he was on his feet, saber in hand and charging Master Balitor. From where I had flattened myself to the ground, I saw the look of surprise on Master Balitor's face as Master Delmar sliced his chest wide, blood gushing. Master Balitor tried to parry but Master Delmar viciously pressed his attack... until he ended the short, violent outburst by cleaving Master Balitor's head from his body.
"Interesting. Even I cannot heal a decapitated man." Came a male voice from the side.
Master Delmar whirled and I looked up. It was Master Jared. He had come after all. Master Delmar relaxed and cleaned his blade on the dead assassin's body. "Amateur." he hissed with contempt.
Master Jared walked up and looked over the body of the dead assassin, nudging the head with his foot. "I see you do not have a need for me now."
Master Delmar looked at the Healer as he settled back into his furs, pulling me close to his body, "Need for you now, Jared?" I noticed that Master Delmar was not even breathing hard.
Master Jared looked amused and glanced around the pool, letting his blue eyes settle on me. "Yes Delmar, I got word that there was a possible danger in the Pools this night and that my assistance might be needed."
I blushed deeply, still trembling from the memory of the violent encounter. Master Delmar held me close and smiled. "I see. I'm sorry that you were dragged from your home. Let me buy you a paga at least."
"No need, Delmar. I left a bowl of kalana as I rushed here to patch things up. I will be returning home now." Master Jared paused. "You fight very well for a merchant, my friend."
Master Delmar laughed loud. "When you sell weapons, swords in particular, it is good to know how to use them... and use them well." unconcerned. I cHe looked over at the dead body again. "Guess whoever hired him forgot to tell him that part."
Master Jared smiled, amused. "I guess so." He moved to the gate and waved. "Tal Delmar, enjoy your evening."
"Safe journeys, my friend and thank you." Master Delmar called out as Master Jared disappeared through the gates once more.
Master Delmar cuddled me close, soothing my trembling. "Are you OK, little one?" I nodded to him and he smiled broadly, hugging me to calm my nerves. "Now... where were we in our conversation?"
I cleared my throat a little. "Speaking of my recent adventures, Master."
He grinned at me, tweaking my nose. "And?"
"And, I have to say that tonight has to rank up at the top of recent adventures. I had never seen an assassination attempt before."
"There was no attempt, Eden. He didn't have a chance. I knew what he was and why he was here. I simply drew it out of him and killed him when he revealed the black dagger. As was my right. Remember, 'every man is Ubar within the reach of his sword.'"
I nodded. "Yes Master."
He settled back in the furs. "Now slave... weren't you going to dance?"
I smiled. Master Delmar was going to distract me from the memory of the killing by having me dance. "Yes Master. The Pole Dance, if it pleases you."
"It does. Now dance for me, woman!" He commanded with a grin.
I rose smoothly to my feet and hurried to musicians to tell them which music to play. As I moved, I marveled at the change in Master Delmar as he grinned, watching me, He had just killed a man not ten minutes before but was his usual friendly self again - unconcerned as a couple of kajirus cleaned up the dead body. My stomach was still fluttering and it was not even I who had been the target.
As I readied myself for the dance, I knew I had learned another important lesson to surviving on Gor. Nothing is what is seems. The smiling merchant will kill as readily as any warrior. Accept the surface knowledge but always be wary of the secrets within. Storing this lesson away, I allowed myself to forget the amateur assassin and move to the whipping pole for my dance. My duty was to please the Masters I serve. I knew whatever happened, the Masters would take care of it and me.